A 17-second video shared on X shows people in Iran shouting slogans from apartment windows after Mojtaba Khamenei was announced as Iran’s new Supreme Leader
Tehran: A video going viral on social media has brought global attention to Iran after people in Tehran were heard chanting “Death to Mojtaba.” The slogan appeared online shortly after reports said Mojtaba Khamenei had been named Iran’s new Supreme Leader.
According to reports, the decision was made by Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for choosing the country’s Supreme Leader. The leadership change came after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989.
Soon after the announcement, videos and posts started circulating on social media showing people shouting anti-government slogans during the night.
Viral Video From Tehran
A 17-second video clip that spread quickly on social media reportedly shows voices coming from apartment buildings in Tehran’s Ekbatan neighborhood.
In the video, several people can be heard shouting in Persian. The slogan translates to “Death to Mojtaba.”
The clip was shared widely on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Telegram, where many users claimed the chants were a reaction to Mojtaba Khamenei being named the new leader.
Because of restrictions on media reporting inside Iran, it is difficult to independently confirm every detail related to the video. However, it has been widely circulated and discussed online.
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Post Shared Mentions the Incident
The video also appeared in a post shared on X by the verified account and media “Iran International English.” The post described the incident and explained where the chants were reportedly heard.
The tweet said:
“People chanted ‘Death to Mojtaba’ from their windows in Tehran’s Ekbatan neighborhood early Monday shortly before Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, according to a video shared on social media.”
The post included the same short video in which people can be heard shouting the slogan during the night.
Many social media users shared the clip again after the tweet, which helped the video gain even more attention worldwide.
Balcony Protests Have Happened Before
Experts say shouting slogans from balconies or windows is not unusual in Iran.
During earlier protests in the country, citizens used similar methods to express their anger or opposition. People often shout slogans from rooftops or apartment windows late at night.
This form of protest allows people to show dissent while avoiding direct confrontation with security forces on the streets.
Similar chants were heard during the 2009 election protests and during other demonstrations that happened in Iran in later years.
Mojtaba Khamenei Named Supreme Leader
The controversy surrounding the viral video comes after Iran announced a major leadership change.
The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member council of senior Islamic clerics, chose Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader.
Under Iran’s constitution, this council is responsible for selecting a new leader whenever the position becomes vacant.
Mojtaba Khamenei replaced his father Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran for more than three decades after becoming Supreme Leader in 1989.
A Rare Family Succession
Many political observers say this leadership transition is historically important because it appears similar to a family succession.
Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution was meant to remove monarchy and hereditary rule from the country’s political system.
Because Mojtaba is the son of the former Supreme Leader, some critics say the transition looks like dynastic leadership.
However, powerful groups inside Iran’s political system quickly showed support for the new leader.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s Background
Mojtaba Khamenei was born in 1969 in the city of Mashhad. He is the second son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
He studied Islamic theology in Qom, which is considered one of the most important religious centers in Iran.
Reports say he also took part in the Iran-Iraq War in the late 1980s.
Although Mojtaba rarely appeared publicly and never held an elected political position, many analysts believe he had strong influence behind the scenes.
He is believed to have built close connections with Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other key institutions.
Iran Faces Rising Tensions
Mojtaba Khamenei becomes Supreme Leader at a time when Iran is facing serious regional tensions.
The country is involved in a major conflict involving the United States and Israel, which has increased instability in the Middle East.
These tensions have also affected global markets. Oil prices have risen sharply as investors worry about possible disruptions to energy supplies in the region.
Inside Iran, economic problems, international sanctions, and political unrest have already created dissatisfaction among many citizens.
Anti-Government Slogans Continue
Anti-government slogans have appeared in Iran during several waves of protests over the years.
Chants like “Death to the Dictator” and “Death to Khamenei” were heard during demonstrations, especially during the protests in 2009 and later movements.
The slogan “Death to Mojtaba” now appears to follow the same pattern of protest chants directed at the country’s leadership.
The viral video from Tehran suggests that some citizens may still be using nighttime balcony chants as a way to express opposition.
At the same time, Iran’s military and political leadership have publicly pledged loyalty and support to the new Supreme Leader.
What Comes Next
The viral video and the reactions on social media show that the leadership change has created strong opinions both inside and outside Iran.
While Mojtaba Khamenei has already taken office as Supreme Leader, the coming months may reveal how he handles domestic unrest, economic challenges, and ongoing regional conflicts.
For now, the video has become a powerful symbol of the tensions surrounding Iran’s political transition and continues to spread widely across social media platforms.
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khushisikarwar is an award-winning journalist and content creator who thrives on telling stories that matter. As a key contributor to Newsisland, [she] focus on cultural commentary, providing readers with thought-provoking insights.
