On Sunday, clashes broke out around Baghdad's Green Zone between Iraqi protesters and security forces following the reported assassination of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. As demonstrators attempted to move toward the U.S. embassy, security forces responded with sound bombs, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowds, resulting in a chaotic scene at the Green Zone entrances.

Reports from Iranian state television confirmed Khamenei's death due to Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran on Saturday, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the assassination. In response, the Iranian government declared a 40-day national mourning period, with official offices suspending operations for seven days. This significant political event stirred a strong reaction among Khamenei's supporters and the wider population, leading to protests in Iraq aimed at expressing solidarity or outrage.

Security measures around the Green Zone tightened significantly, with heavy police presence to prevent any breaches by demonstrators. According to Al Jazeera's correspondent, Samer al-Kubaisi, armed faction supporters were among the crowds, indicative of the political tensions in Iraq that could escalate further due to Iran's influence in the region. The situation remains volatile, with concerns about potential repercussions on U.S.-Iraqi relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.