REFILE: Iranian diaspora in London say new Supreme Leader is ‘not so different’ from his father

Record ID: 2364578

  • Title: REFILE: Iranian diaspora in London say new Supreme Leader is ‘not so different’ from his father
  • Date: 9th March 2026
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 9, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SUN AND LION FLAGS ON SHOPS IN NORTH LONDON INSIDE OF PERSIAN SHOP SIGN READING (English): “Recognise Pahlavi” CARS AND CYCLISTS ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHOP WORKER, MEYSAM AGHAKHANI, 43, SAYING: “You know, selecting this person as an appointed, you know, supreme leader is very expected. We were e
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Iran Khamenei London Supreme Leader diaspora war
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: UK
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe
  • Reuters ID: LVA001221109032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:In an area of north London known as Little Tehran, Iranians felt the that naming of Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his slain father as supreme leader was more of the same as he is “similar” to his dad.
    Iran named Khamenei as the next supreme leader on Monday (March 9), signalling that hardliners remain firmly in charge and appearing to close off any path to a swift end to war in the Middle East.
    Khamenei, 56, a Shi'ite cleric with a power base among the security forces and their vast business empire, has been declared unacceptable by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has demanded Iran's unconditional surrender.
    Iranian state media showed large crowds in the streets of several cities showing support for the new leader, carrying Iranian flags and portraits of his father Ali Khamenei, killed by strikes on the war's first day.
    Many Iranians had celebrated the elder Khamenei's death, weeks after his security forces killed thousands of anti-government protesters in the worst domestic unrest since the era of Iran's 1979 revolution. But there has since been little sign of anti-government activity, with activists fearful of taking to the streets while Iran is under attack.
    (Production: Marissa Davison, Catarina Demony)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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