In Moscow, police apprehended numerous Iranian nationals who gathered to celebrate the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during what was described as a U.S.-Israeli military operation. The event took place outside the Salaryevo metro station, where attendees expressed their sentiments by chanting ‘Thank you, United States of America.’ Despite police orders to disperse, the crowd remained, leading to a significant police presence and eventual detentions.

According to reports, many of those detained were charged with participating in an unauthorized public assembly. The enforcement actions led to fines for most, while the identified organizer, a dentist who had promoted the gathering via Instagram, received a 10-day jail sentence. This incident underscores the sensitivity of political expression in Russia, especially in relation to foreign political figures and policies, particularly when they involve delicate geopolitics like U.S.-Iran relations.

This gathering and the resultant legal actions reflect growing tensions regarding the Iranian diaspora's reaction to events in their homeland. It highlights the precarious balance of freedom of expression, public assembly rights, and state control in Russia, particularly in situations intertwined with international incidents. The police response appears to be a cautionary act against any public sentiment that could be perceived as problematic or anti-state, particularly regarding topics with foreign ties.