US Marines fired on protesters storming consulate in Karachi, officials say
Police and Paramilitary vehicles stand outside the U.S. Consulate General, a day after a protest following news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Karachi, Pakistan, March 2, 2026. REUTERS
US Marines opened fire on demonstraters during the storming of the Karachi consulate over the weekend, two US officials said on Monday -- a rare use of force at a diplomatic post that could sharply escalate tensions in the country amid widespread protests over the killing of Iran’s leader.
Ten people were killed on Sunday when protesters breached the compound’s outer wall after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes on Iran.
Citing initial information, the two US officials said it was unclear whether rounds fired by Marines struck or killed anyone. They also did not know whether shots were fired by others protecting the mission, including private security guards and local police.
Read: At least 10 killed in Karachi clashes during march towards US Consulate after Khamenei strike
This would mark the first confirmation by US officials that Marines were involved in firing at protesters.
A provincial government spokesman, Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, said “security” personnel had opened fire, without specifying their affiliation.
Daily security operations at US diplomatic missions are often carried out by private contractors and local forces, and the involvement of Marines in the incident underscores how seriously the consulate viewed the threat.
Pakistan is home to the world’s second-largest Shia community after Iran. On Monday, Pakistan banned large gatherings nationwide after protests over the strikes on Iran spread, with 26 people reported dead across the country.
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Protesters on Sunday chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate, where Reuters reporters heard gunfire and saw tear gas fired in surrounding streets.
A video on social media appeared to show at least one protester firing a weapon toward the consulate and bloodied demonstrators fleeing as shots rang out.
A Karachi police official told Reuters that the shots were fired from inside the consulate premises.
The US Marines referred questions to the US military, which in turn referred queries to the State Department. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.