Karachi, Pakistan. Demonstrations against the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran turned violent in Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday, while Iranian exiles in Paris celebrated the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. At least 23 protesters were killed in clashes across Pakistan, authorities and witnesses said.
Deaths reported in Karachi, Skardu and Islamabad
At least 23 protesters were killed in clashes in Pakistan, including 10 in the port of Karachi where security guards at the U.S. consulate fired on demonstrators who breached the outer wall, 11 in the northern city of Skardu where the crowd torched a U.N. office, and two in Islamabad.
Police said 34 people were injured. Karachi’s Civil Hospital said all those killed and injured were hit with gunshots.
Clashes at U.S. consulate in Karachi
Protesters in Karachi chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” at the consulate, where Reuters reporters heard gunfire and saw tear gas fired in surrounding streets.
Consulate security staff opened fire at a crowd who were pushed back after breaching the outer security layer, said Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, a local government spokesman. The demonstrators also set a vehicle ablaze outside the main gate and clashed with police, he said.
“We are in constant touch with consulate officials. They are all safe,” Hemnani added.
Police response in Baghdad
In Iraq, police fired tear gas and stun grenades to scatter hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters who had gathered outside the Green Zone diplomatic compound in the capital Baghdad, where the U.S. embassy is located.
Celebrations in Paris
In Paris, a crowd of thousands gathered to celebrate, waving flags of Iran’s pre-revolutionary monarchy, with some carrying red roses and bottles of champagne.
Regional context and official responses
Pakistan and Iraq, Iran’s neighbours to the east and west, have the world’s largest Shi’ite Muslim populations after Iran, and were the scenes of some of the worst unrest from crowds angry at the U.S.-Israeli attacks.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said in a post on X it was monitoring reports of demonstrations and advised U.S. citizens to observe good personal security practices. The consulate in Karachi and embassy in Islamabad did not respond to Reuters requests for further comment.
The provincial government of Sindh ordered an inquiry.
What impact do you think these protests could have on security around diplomatic missions in the region?
