Rare use of force at diplomatic post follows deadly breach amid protests over Khamenei’s assassination
Police and paramilitary vehicles stand in front of the U.S. Consulate General, a day after a protest following news of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan, March 2, 2026. REUTERS
KARACHI:
U.S. Marines opened fire on protesters during the assault on the Karachi consulate over the weekend, two U.S. officials said Monday, a rare use of force at a diplomatic outpost that could sharply raise tensions in the country amid widespread protests over the assassination of Iran’s leader.
Ten people were killed Sunday when protesters breached the compound’s outer wall after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in attacks on Iran.
Citing initial information, the two U.S. officials said it was unclear whether the Marines’ gunfire hit or killed anyone. They also did not know if other people protecting the mission, including private security guards and local police, fired shots.
Read: At least 10 dead in clashes in Karachi during the march to the US consulate after Khamenei’s attack
This would be the first confirmation by US officials that Marines were involved in shooting protesters.
A provincial government spokesman, Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, said “security” personnel had opened fire, without specifying their affiliation.
Daily security operations at American diplomatic missions are typically carried out by private contractors and local forces, and the Marines’ involvement in the incident underscores the seriousness with which the consulate viewed the threat.
Pakistan is home to the world’s second largest Shia community after Iran. On Monday, Pakistan banned large gatherings across the country after protests over the attacks on Iran spread, with 26 people killed across the country.
Read more: Sindh government opens investigation into US consulate incident
Protesters on Sunday chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate, where Reuters Journalists heard gunshots and saw tear gas in the surrounding streets.
Video on social media appeared to show at least one protester firing a gun toward the consulate and bloodied protesters fleeing as gunshots rang out.
A Karachi police officer said Reuters that the shots were fired from inside the consulate compound.
The US Marines referred their questions to the US military, which in turn referred their questions to the State Department. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
