an “Islamic Guard” and clashes between sides

According to the local media Manchester Evening Newsthis rally—organized to pay tribute to the Ayatollah, hit by Israeli bombs in his residence in Tehran—gathered dozens of people carrying candles, flags and banners remembering the late supreme leader.

However, the vigil soon attracted counter-protesters who opposed both the Iranian theocratic regime and the idea of ​​a memorial event on British soil, displaying historic pre-revolution Iranian flags and slogans critical of the clerical leadership.

The demonstration took place on Sydney Street, next to Oxford Road in the heart of the city, and was promoted by Manchester’s Muslim community.

According to the aforementioned Mancunian media, there was an atmosphere of mourning, as attendees placed candles, flowers and photographs of the late ayatollah and other reported victims of the latest air attacks in front of the center, along with banners that said “We support the revolution.”

Another sign from one of the attendees read: “You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an ideology – loyal to our leader.” Pro-regime attendees could be seen waving the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Palestinian flag and images of the Ayatollah.

According to the Manchester Evening Newsamong those participating in the vigil were Kayam Hussain18, and his brother, members of the Pakistani community in Rochdale.

Kayam said: “We believe that what’s happening in Iran, the whole war in the Middle East, is really chaotic and it’s going to bring a lot of harm. It’s going to bring harm to the world.”

“Khamenei’s death is one of the biggest mistakes that people have made, because it is not going to go down well in the world. Everyone is going to be affected. We are approaching something catastrophic“he added.

But this pro-Iranian regime crowd was greeted by a larger counter-demonstration, which played loud music, sang and danced as they celebrated the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.

These protesters were mostly Iranians exiled in the United Kingdom, as well as people who were against what the Iranian regime had assumed in terms of human rights.

The group carried flags of the United States, Israel and the flag of Iran from before the Islamic Revolution.

The largest group of protesters burned a photograph of the supreme leader, while holding flares and photographs of Reza Pahlavi (son of the last shah of Persia, overthrown in the 1979 revolution) next to a framed portrait of the president of the United States, Donald Trump.

Among the counter-protesters was a British citizen, Ryan Mendelson33, who explained that he has been supporting Iranian exiles in the United Kingdom, with protests every week.

“These people I’m with are Iranians and they want regime change in their country. They are here to support each other. We are here tonight because they want to light a candle for a dictator who has murdered thousands of people.”

Mendelson also attacked the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmerwhich he accused of not considering the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, despite the fact that other countries have done so in Europe.

In addition, he took the opportunity to criticize the “passivity” of the Labor leader in the face of the terrorist attack suffered in a Manchester synagogue in November 2025, pointing out that he only “offered to increase funding.”

In parallel, Mendelson recalled that “Iran and Israel had a great relationship” before the arrival of the Iranian theocratic regime in 1979. “We are happy that Netanyahu has captured him and has finished with the ayatollah,” he said in statements collected by the Manchester Evening News.