WANA (Mar 09) – Following the official announcement of Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the new leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, public gatherings and allegiance ceremonies were held across the country, with thousands of citizens assembling in major city squares to express their support for the new leadership.

 

The selection of the new leader was announced early Monday by the Assembly of Experts. According to Iran’s Constitution, once the Assembly of Experts appoints and introduces the leader, he immediately assumes the responsibilities of leadership without the need for any additional formal procedures.

 

Large Gathering in Tehran

In the capital, thousands gathered Monday afternoon in Enghelab Square, one of Tehran’s central public spaces, to pledge allegiance to the newly appointed leader.

 

The ceremony began at 3 p.m. (local time), with participants waving Iran’s tricolour flags and holding portraits of the new leader while chanting slogans in support of the Islamic Republic.

 

One participant, speaking to a WANA reporter, said they had come to pledge allegiance to the new leader and to declare that they stand behind the revolution and its leadership. High above, the camera panned across the vast crowd, capturing the scale of the gathering.

People attend a gathering to support Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 9, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Crowds were heard chanting phrases such as “Labbayk Ya Khamenei” and “Allahu Akbar” as expressions of loyalty. During the event, a formal pledge of allegiance was read aloud, after which the crowd collectively voiced their support.

 

Participants represented a wide cross-section of society, including youth, families, and elderly citizens. Some attendees also carried images of previous Iranian leaders and commanders killed in recent regional conflicts.

 

Several government officials were present at the gathering, including Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and Parviz Fattah, head of the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order.

 

A participant speaking to WANA emphasized that the enemy’s reaction, whatever it might be, was insignificant compared to the unity of the people. Another said they expected the new leader to avenge the blood of martyred figures and generals, highlighting the deep emotional and political commitment of attendees.

 

Reports indicated that large numbers of people reached the square through surrounding streets such as Enghelab, Azadi, and Kargar, filling much of the square and nearby areas.

People attend a gathering to support Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 9, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Similar Gatherings Across Iran

Simultaneous ceremonies were also reported in many other Iranian cities, including Tabriz, Karaj, Kermanshah, Kashan, Ardabil, and Khorramabad, where residents gathered in central squares and public spaces to express support for the new leader.

 

Despite an attack by American and Israeli fighter jets on the Isfahan governorate building near Naqsh-e Jahan Square, crowds reportedly remained in the square and chanted “Death to America.”

 

A participant told WANA that they had come to reaffirm their allegiance to the Imam of the Revolution and pledged to defend his path “until the last drop of our blood,” demonstrating resilience in the face of external threats.

 

One of the participants in Tehran told WANA that the enemy would realize that the path of Khamenei, like the path of Martyr Soleimani, would continue without interruption.

 

Organisers say the gatherings mark the first wave of public demonstrations of support following the official announcement of the new leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

Iran’s Streets Erupt in Support of the New Supreme Leader

WANA (Mar 09) – Moments after Iran’s Assembly of Experts officially announced the selection of Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, crowds gathered in cities across the country, with many people celebrating in the streets and expressing support for the new leader.   Images circulating from Tehran and […]

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