Mourners holding a candlelit vigil for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei clashed with anti-Iranian regime protesters in Manchester city centre.

Khamenei, who presided over a brutal regime which slaughtered thousands of his own citizens, repressed women and funded terror organisations, was killed on Saturday morning by joint US-Israeli strikes.

A candlelit vigil took place at 8pm on Wednesday at Sidney Street in Manchester, inviting people to attend an event for the ‘late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Husseini Khamenei’.

Posters said the event, where mourners waved Palestinian flags, was supported by the Friends of Islamic Centre of Manchester.

Tense exchanges took place between Iranian pro-monarchy demonstrators and those mourning Iran’s former Supreme Leader as police separated the two sides.

Those attending the vigil carried pictures of the ayatollah, lit candles, signed pictures of him and left messages about how they ‘admired’ Khamenei.

One poster read ‘Killed at the hands of Zios’ – a pejorative term used to describe Zionists popularised by Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke.

Another said: ‘Mosques are a sacred place of worship.’ 

Mourners holding a candlelit vigil for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei clashed with protesters in Manchester city centre

A candlelit vigil took place at 8pm on Wednesday at Sidney Street in Manchester, inviting people to attend an event for the ‘late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Husseini Khamenei’

Mourners burnt pictures of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and held up pictures of the ayatollah

One mourner burnt a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while another placed a sign urging people to ‘boycott Israeli dates’ next to a picture of the ayatollah. 

Counter protesters waved US, Israeli and the pre-1979 Islamic Revolution flag of Iran.

They also carried photos of Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran.

One held a sign saying ‘Pahlavi will return’ while others burned pictures of Khamenei

Speaking before the vigil, Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Chris Sykes said: ‘The events in the Middle East are significant for those in Greater Manchester with ties to Iran and the wider region. It is understandable that these evoke a range of views and emotions.

‘We are aware of plans for a vigil and a nearby counter-protest in the city centre on Wednesday night. We are engaging with those involved as well as our partners at Manchester City Council.’

Asked about criticism of the vigil going ahead, he said: ‘We recognise the strength of feeling out there from people who question how and why such gatherings can take place.

‘Put simply, we cannot ban gatherings unless there is a clear risk to life and property – this is a very high threshold constrained by the current legislation.’

He added: ‘We have engaged with both the organisers of the vigil and the nearby counter-protest. They have made clear their intention for their respective gatherings to be peaceful.’

Pictured: A woman holds up a photo of Ayatollah Khameni as she attends the vigil for the former Supreme Leader

One mourner left a sign urging people to ‘boycott Israeli dates’ next to a picture of the late tyrant

Others boasted of their ‘loyalty’ to Khamenei, who slaughtered thousands of his own citizens in January

‘GMP continues to police without fear or favour. We are well-resourced and experienced in regularly managing such gatherings and events to minimise wider disruption and prioritise public safety.

‘It is on all those present to act responsibly. Anyone suspected of breaking the law will be dealt with.

‘Our local officers will continue to engage with those in attendance and will have the support of specialist resources if needed.’

The vigil came after a number of Islamic societies at British universities faced criticism for their tributes to the late tyrant.

Over a dozen student-led societies have expressed their ‘sincere condolences’ to the ‘beloved’ dictator, with one hosting a candlelight vigil.

Ahlul-Bayt Islamic societies (AbSoc) members at the University of Manchester took part in Wednesday’s vigil.

They also plan to host a ‘commemorative’ gathering to ‘remember the martyrs of the recent strikes’ on Friday.

The ABSoc at University College London described the Supreme Leader’s killing as ‘martyrdom’ and offered condolences from ‘all’ at the society.

They posted a lengthy statement saying ‘we express our sincere condolences on the martyrdom of our beloved’, adding ‘do not allow the enemies of justice to rejoice over Muslim blood’.

Counter protesters burnt pictures of Khamenei as they celebrated his death in Manchester 

Demonstrators waved Israeli and pre-1979 Revolution Iranian flags as they protested the vigil

One woman held up a sign up which read ‘Pahlavi will return’ as dozens of people mourned the late ayatollah

One poster read ‘Killed at the hands of Zios’ – a pejorative term used to describe Zionists popularised by Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke

Donald Trump branded Khamenei ‘one of the most evil people in history’, as he confirmed his killing.

Mr Trump added: ‘He was unable to avoid our intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.’

Authorities in Iran postponed Khamenei’s funeral on Wednesday as US and Israeli forces carried out intense strikes across the country.

A successor has not been confirmed but his son Mojtaba Khamenei appears set to take over after gaining backing of the powerful Revolutionary Guards.