Iranian forces fatally shoot 30-year-old Faezeh Afshari during crackdown on post-Khamenei death celebrations in Semirom

Hengaw – Thursday, May 28, 2026

Faezeh Afshari, a 30-year-old woman from Semirom in Iran’s Isfahan province, was fatally shot at close range by Iranian government forces during the violent crackdown on spontaneous street celebrations that erupted following reports of the death of Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the first day of the Iran-Israel-US war.

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on the evening of Sunday, March 1, 2026, engineer Faezeh Afshari had traveled with her brother to the Baharestan area of Isfahan to obtain medication for their mother, who is battling cancer.

At the same time, reports of Ali Khamenei’s death triggered spontaneous gatherings and celebrations in several parts of the city. Iranian security forces responded by violently dispersing the crowds, opening fire and using tear gas against civilians.

An informed source told Hengaw:

“Faezeh and her brother were trying to leave the area by car to escape the gunfire and tear gas when government forces surrounded their vehicle. The officers smashed the rear window, and one of them placed his weapon directly against Faezeh Afshari’s temple and fired. The 30-year-old engineer died in her brother’s arms after being struck in the head by pellet gunfire.”

According to reports received by Hengaw, Iranian authorities carried out widespread violent repression in multiple cities following the announcement of the death of the Islamic Republic’s leader, using direct live fire against civilians and protesters.

Faezeh Afshari was killed despite having no involvement in the street gatherings and having only gone out to obtain medicine for her ill mother.

Hengaw had previously reported the killings of Ahmadreza Feyzi, 15, and his 19-year-old brother Amirhossein Feyzi from Asadabad in Karaj, as well as Nahal Ahouqalandari in Khorramabad, during the same wave of celebrations and subsequent government crackdown.