In Manchester, a candlelit vigil held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was met with a significantly larger, jubilant counter-protest.

 

Clashes ERUPT at Ayatollah vigil in Manchester as pro-Tehran and anti-regime protesters face off

In Manchester, a candlelit vigil held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was met with a significantly larger, jubilant counter-protest.

The event took place on Sidney Street, just off Oxford Road, outside the Manchester Islamic Centre.

Attendance: Approximately 100 mourners gathered to pay respects.

Atmosphere: Described as sombre, attendees laid flowers, candles, and photographs of the late leader.

Messaging: Signs displayed messages such as "You can kill a man but you can't kill an ideology" and "We stand with the revolution".

Tensions: Some pro-regime demonstrators were seen burning a photograph of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Counter-Protest

A larger group of 300 to 400 people, including members of the Iranian diaspora and local Jewish community, gathered across the street.

Atmosphere: The mood was celebratory; protesters played loud music, danced to the Village People's "YMCA," and celebrated the recent US-Israeli military intervention that resulted in the Ayatollah's death.

Symbols: Counter-protesters waved the pre-1979 "Lion and Sun" Iranian flag, alongside US, UK, and Israeli flags.

Actions: Participants were seen burning photographs of the Ayatollah and carrying portraits of Donald Trump and Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah.

Police Response

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) maintained a heavy presence to keep the rival groups separate using barriers and a "sterile area".

Incidents: While tensions were high and "a few scuffles" occurred as the groups dispersed, the events passed largely without significant disruption.

Arrests: GMP confirmed on Thursday morning that no arrests were made and the events concluded at approximately 10 p.m..