Deadly Protests After Iran Strikes: 23 Killed In Pakistan As Global Demonstrations Turn To Rage And Celebration

Demonstrations over a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran erupted into deadly violence in parts of Pakistan on Sunday while protests elsewhere ranged from tense confrontations to jubilant celebrations among Iranian exiles in Western cities.

A police officer stands amid smoke after they fire tear gas to disperse a protest outside the U.S. Consulate General, following news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed late Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

Pakistan: Clashes Leave At Least 23 Dead

Pakistani authorities said at least 23 people were killed across separate clashes: 10 in Karachi after security staff at the U.S. consulate opened fire on demonstrators who breached the outer security layer; 11 in Skardu, where a crowd set a United Nations office ablaze; and two in Islamabad during attempts to march toward the diplomatic Red Zone.

People smash the glass panels of the U.S. consulate, following news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan, March 1, 2026, in this screengrab taken from a social media video. Social Media/via REUTERS

In Karachi, Reuters reporters heard gunfire and saw tear gas deployed in nearby streets as crowds chanted "Death to America! Death to Israel!" Local government spokesman Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani said consulate security personnel fired when protesters breached the outer wall. Protesters also set a vehicle on fire outside the main gate and clashed with police.

Security forces detain a protester outside the U.S. Consulate General, following news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Imran Ali

Police reported 34 people wounded. Karachi's Civil Hospital said those killed and injured sustained gunshot wounds. The provincial government of Sindh has ordered an inquiry.

Smoke rises as protesters engage in a clash with security forces, outside the U.S. Consulate General, following news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Imran Ali

Skardu: UN Office Burned

Skardu, in Gilgit-Baltistan — Pakistan's only province where Shi'ites form the plurality — saw a U.N. building set on fire. Local government spokesperson Shabbir Mir told Reuters a large number of protesters gathered outside the office and burned the building; officials speaking on condition of anonymity provided the death toll of 11.

A police officer retrives items in front of a police checkpost burned by protesters near the U.S. Consulate General, following news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

Islamabad: Red Zone Clashes

In the capital, police blocked roads leading to the Red Zone and used tear gas and, according to unnamed officials, live ammunition to disperse thousands trying to reach the diplomatic enclave. Two people were killed and nearly 10 were injured in those clashes. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi appealed for calm, saying, "We stand with you," and urging protesters to remain peaceful.

A person washes his face with a soft drink bottle after riot police deployed irritants to disperse protesters supporting Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups gathered near the entrance of the Green Zone and attempted to move toward the U.S. embassy after the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Iraq And Other Regions

In Baghdad, Iraqi police used tear gas and stun grenades to scatter hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters gathered outside the fortified Green Zone, home to the U.S. embassy and other diplomatic missions.

People march after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and U.S. strikes, in Basra, Iraq, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty

Protests and demonstrations also occurred in other countries where Iran exerts influence, including peaceful marches in Kano, Nigeria, where thousands of participants waved Iranian flags and pictures of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Security forces patrol as protesters supporting Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups gathered near the entrance of the Green Zone and attempted to move toward the U.S. embassy after the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Celebrations Among Iranian Exiles

By contrast, large gatherings of Iranian exiles in several Western cities celebrated reports about Iran's leadership. In Paris, thousands waved flags from Iran's pre-revolutionary era, carried red roses and some popped champagne. In Lisbon, exiled Iranians gathered outside the embassy and described late-night celebrations and calls for democratic change.

Security forces gather as protesters supporting Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups gathered near the entrance of the Green Zone and attempted to move toward the U.S. embassy after the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

U.S. Embassy Response: The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said on X it was monitoring demonstrations and advised U.S. citizens to observe good personal security practices. The consulate in Karachi and the embassy in Islamabad did not respond to Reuters requests for further comment.

Reporting for this piece referenced accounts from Reuters journalists and local officials in Karachi, Skardu, Islamabad, Baghdad, Paris and Lisbon. Authorities have launched inquiries into the violence in Pakistan as tensions remain high across multiple countries.