Iranian-Americans in Las Vegas celebrate U.S., Israeli strikes on Iran

About 100 people cheered on the attacks that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Around 100 Iranian-Americans gathered on the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate the U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The rally participants expressed joy and relief at the news, seeing it as a step towards freedom and regime change in Iran.

Why it matters

The attacks on Iran's leadership represent a major escalation in tensions between the U.S./Israel and Iran, with potential ripple effects across the Middle East. The rally highlights the divided views within the Iranian-American community, with some welcoming the strikes as a path to a new government in Iran.

The details

The rally took place on Sunday, March 1, 2026 outside the Bellagio hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Participants waved Iranian flags, chanted slogans thanking the U.S. and supporting regime change, and expressed hope that the strikes would lead to a freer Iran. Several attendees, including Fara Abbasian and Maysam Sabitian, shared personal stories of fleeing Iran after the 1979 revolution and their desire for a new government in their home country.

  • The U.S. and Israeli strikes occurred on Saturday, February 29, 2026.
  • The rally was held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, the day after the attacks.

The players

Ali Khamenei

The Supreme Leader of Iran who was killed in the U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Fara Abbasian

An Iranian-American who fled Iran in 2000 and now lives in Las Vegas, celebrating the attacks as a step towards a brighter future for her home country.

Maysam Sabitian

An Iranian-American who grew up in Iran after the 1979 revolution and expressed joy at the news of the attack, seeing it as a mission to free Iran from the Islamic Republic.

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What they’re saying

“What they want is they want an alternative to Islamic republic. This is a mission to free a community that could be prosperous and could be a benefit to humanity, and to the region and even to the West.”

— Maysam Sabitian (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

“The Iranians are Persians. We are the oldest civilization in the world, and so we want to bring back that culture, that history and the love of everything about being an Iranian. We want to share that with the world. This is not a war. This is taking back a country that has been in war for the last 47 years.”

— Ati Hakimi, Iranian-American doctor (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

“I want everyone to know that we did the right thing and freedom is near. I'm so happy to be alive (and) that finally my family can one day visit their homeland again.”

— Kamand Morati, Las Vegas resident with family in Iran (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

What’s next

The U.S. and Israel have not indicated if they plan any further military action against Iran following the strikes that killed Khamenei. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for retaliation from Iran or continued escalation.

The takeaway

The rally in Las Vegas highlights the deep divisions within the Iranian-American community over the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. While some see the strikes as a path to freedom and regime change, others may be concerned about the broader regional implications and potential for further conflict. The event underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.