- Title: Iranians in Rome celebrate after Iran strikes, thank Israel and the US
- Date: 1st March 2026
- Summary: WOMAN HOLDING MICROPHONE AND SAYING (Italian): “We are only here to thank president Trump and Netanyahu for their help” WOMAN WITH COLOURS OF IRANIAN FLAG PAINTED ON THE CHEEK SHOUTING (English): “King Reza Pahlavi” MAN CHANTING AND HOLDING FLAG PEOPLE CHANTING (Italian): “Long live the Shah, long live Iran” (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN DEMONSTRATOR, FATI (NO SURNAME GIVE
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: DEMOSTRATION IRAN ISRAEL ROME USA
- Location: ROME, ITALY
- City: ROME, ITALY
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,International/National Security
- Reuters ID: LVA002975601032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Iranians opposing the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran gathered in Rome's Santi Apostoli square on Sunday (March 1) to celebrate the fall of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A demonstrator identified herself as a supporter of the son of Iran's toppled Shah, Reza Pahlavi, a prominent opposition figure. "We believe that he will lead a peaceful transition in our country", she said.
Demonstrators displayed numerous portraits of Pahlavi and waived pre-revolution Iranian flags as well as Israeli flags. "We are only here to thank president Trump and Netanyahu for their help”, said one woman at the microphone.
Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Sunday, saying it aimed to dominate the skies after killing Iran's supreme leader and leaving the Islamic Republic grappling to rebuild its leadership amid its biggest test in five decades.
U.S. and Israeli strikes -- and Iranian retaliation -- sent shockwaves through sectors from shipping to air travel to oil, amid warnings of rising energy costs and disruption to business in the Gulf, a strategic waterway and global trade hub.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a leadership council composed of himself, the judiciary head and a member of the powerful Guardians Council had temporarily assumed the duties of Supreme Leader following the death of Khamenei.
(Production: Veronica Altimari, Roberto Mignucci, Claudia Chieppa) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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