Luc Gauci Green talks to members of Finchley’s Iranian community as they celebrate following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

People celebrating in the street, waving pre-revolutionary Iranian flags — Finchley’s Iranian community celebrating change in Iran (Credit – Luc Gauci Green)

Music, flags and ululations in abundance, street parties descended on Ballards Lane two nights in a row this weekend. The immense Iranian diaspora of Finchley came out to celebrate the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Walking around the festivities, the Iranians were in good spirits. Some danced in streets and on cars; others carried the sun and lion flag of Iran as well those of Israel and the USA.

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu were popular figures amongst the crowd for their parts in the US-Israeli joint airstrikes that killed Ayatollah Khamenei and much of the Iranian regime’s leadership.

One reveller said of Trump: “He’s like our hero.” Another wanted to thank them. Another said that Trump and Netanyahu will continue to kill to make way for the Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and eventually peace.

No one was more popular than Pahlavi. At points, a megaphone called out and the crowds erupted in chants of Iran and Pahlavi that thundered along Ballards Lane. A young woman said “We want our prince back to our country; we really want it. We love him. We love his dad.”

She went on saying, “He will develop our country and our freedoms. Free speech. Freedom for everything. We were in darkness for 47 years. Honestly, I am over the moon. I’m finally speechless. I’m happy. My people are happy. I want to cry!”

Many others were certain that the return of Pahlavi would mean peace in Iran. One man said “100% Pahlavi will return” adamant that it will result in peace for Iran. Another man said “It is not just good for Iran; it will be good for everyone.”

However, much uncertainty remains. Many had been unable to contact family members in Iran due to internet blackouts. Those in Iran were quietly hopeful but still living in fear. The mixed feelings were felt throughout: “Everything comes with a price. They are really sad and happy. I cry with one eye but with the other eye I’m really happy.”

A change in regime might not just be transformative in Iran; it could also dramatically change the makeup of Finchley by enabling members of the Iranian community to return to the country.

Another said: “Hopefully there will be a change of regime and then we will be back to Iran. Not straightaway but definitely we have to go back because we have to build up our country again.” The desire to go back to Iran was echoed throughout the street, dependent on regime change and stability in the region.

One conversation was a stark reminder of the brutality of the current regime and how far there is still to go before achieving lasting peace. The man in question had been in Iran during the Women, Life, Freedom Protests in 2022 and detained by the police. He spoke of being blindfolded, beaten and cattle-prodded in their attempts to get information out of him. He talked about the shock his parents felt seeing their son’s bruised body.

Despite this harrowing experience, he still had hope to return when it was safe and was in a joyous mood. He had driven from his home in Richmond to attend the celebrations. His work the next day did not stop him as he drank beer and stayed on the streets till late.

No one knows what will happen in the coming weeks and months but for now, the Iranians of Finchley are jubilant.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.