Iran Blowback: At Least 22 Killed Trying To Storm US Consulate In Pakistan

Mass anti-American protests have erupted across parts of the Middle East, particularly in areas with large Shia Muslim populations. These demonstrations are a direct consequence of recent attacks ordered by the Trump administration on Iran, which resulted in the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In Pakistan, riots attempting to storm the U.S. consulate in Karachi led to at least 22 deaths and over 120 injuries. Security forces reportedly opened fire to disperse the crowds trying to breach the consulate compound. Violence also spread to other parts of Pakistan, with protesters setting fire to a United Nations office building in Skardu. In Iraq, which has a Shia majority and strong ties to Iran, Iraqis attempted to breach the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, using bulldozing equipment and clashing with security forces. The unrest in Iraq is partly attributed to the post-2003 invasion political landscape that empowered the Shia population. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for revenge, further fueling the likelihood of continued unrest. These events highlight deep-seated anti-Washington sentiment across the region.