Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 2: Security was stepped up across parts of the national capital following protests and gatherings to mourn the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, police said on Sunday.

Additional personnel were deployed in sensitive areas, particularly around diplomatic missions and localities with significant Shia populations, as a precautionary measure.

Khamenei, 86, was reportedly killed in a major air strike carried out by Israel and the United States targeting his compound in downtown Tehran, according to Iranian state media reports.

Visuals from the capital showed groups assembling outside the Iran Cultural House in Delhi, where a meeting had been scheduled to mark the leader’s death. Protesters were also seen raising slogans in parts of Jor Bagh, expressing grief and outrage.

A senior police officer said adequate security arrangements had been made to maintain law and order. “We have deployed additional forces as a precautionary step. The situation is peaceful and under control. We are monitoring social media and ground inputs closely,” the officer said.

Barricades were placed near protest sites to regulate movement, and local police teams were supported by paramilitary personnel to maintain vigil.

Shia mourners held demonstrations in several parts of the country on Sunday to express grief over Khamenei’s death. In Delhi, however, police said the gatherings remained largely peaceful.

“We are in touch with community leaders and organisers. So far, there has been no report of violence or damage to property,” another officer said.

Authorities indicated that security arrangements would continue to remain tight in the coming days to prevent any untoward incident.