Summary
Overview
In this episode of The Daily, correspondent Farnaz Fassihi reports on the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes, marking a historic turning point after his 35-year rule. The episode explores the deeply divided reactions within Iran and its diaspora, examines Khamenei's legacy of domestic repression and regional militancy, and discusses the uncertain future of the Islamic Republic as the regime attempts an orderly transition while facing the possibility of popular uprising or fundamental change.
A Historic Moment: The Death of Iran's Supreme Leader
The episode opens with news that Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei has been killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes, creating a profound before-and-after moment for Iranians worldwide. Fassihi describes how her phone immediately buzzed with messages from contacts across the political spectrum, all seeking confirmation of this monumental development. For the first time in nearly four decades, Iranians are waking up to a reality without Khamenei's looming presence over their lives and futures.
- Khamenei was killed in strikes on Sunday, ending over three decades of rule
- The moment represents a historic dividing line for all Iranians regardless of political affiliation
- Fassihi's phone exploded with messages from sources and contacts asking for confirmation
- This is the first day in modern Iranian history without Khamenei in power
" This is a new day. This is a new Iran. "
" Iranians woke up to the first day of history without Mr. Khamenei in power. And we don't know exactly what that's going to mean yet, but this figure who has loomed very large for almost four decades over the fate of Iranians is gone. "
Divided Reactions: Celebration and Mourning
The Iranian population's response split sharply along ideological lines. Opposition supporters poured into streets celebrating with car horns, fireworks, and chants of "freedom," while diaspora families connected via video calls to toast the news with tears and shots. Meanwhile, regime supporters gathered in mosques to pray and mourn, feeling the ground shift beneath them as they faced losing both a religious figure and the political system they supported.
- Opponents celebrated in the streets with honking cars, fireworks, and chants of 'freedom'
- Diaspora families scattered across continents held emotional video calls to celebrate together
- Some family members cried tears of relief and joy, then celebrated with shots
- Regime supporters gathered in mosques to pray and mourn, feeling their world collapsing
- Supporters face losing both their religious leader and their entire political system
" People cheering, there were fireworks. People sticking their heads out of the windows and chanting, freedom, freedom, and this visceral scream. It's like a scream of relief almost. "
" Not only have they lost a religious figure that they revered and believed in, but they've also lost a political leader of a system that they have ideological loyalty to. It feels like that is in jeopardy, that they don't know whether this Islamic Republic that they believe in and they support is going to survive or not without him. "
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