Millions of Iranians poured into the streets of Tehran and other cities across the country on Friday to mark International Quds Day, answering a call for mass participation issued earlier by Iran’s leader Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei. Large crowds gathered in major squares and along central avenues, carrying Palestinian flags and banners while chanting slogans in support of the Palestinian cause and condemning Israel. The nationwide rallies highlighted the continued importance of the annual event in Iran’s political and social calendar.
According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent, a strike by US and Israeli aircraft reportedly targeted an area near Revolution Square during the demonstrations in the capital. Several people were reportedly wounded in the incident. Despite the reported attack, large numbers of participants remained in the streets, and the rallies continued throughout the day amid heightened security and strong expressions of defiance.
Senior Iranian officials joined the marches, underscoring the government’s support for the event. Among those present were Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i, the country’s judiciary chief. Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, and Culture Minister Abbas Salehi also participated, reflecting broad representation from Iran’s political leadership.
Speaking during the rallies, Larijani condemned what he described as aggression against the demonstrations. He said attacks carried out on Quds Day reflected the “despair and impotence” of the United States and Israel, adding that external pressure would not weaken the determination of the Iranian public. Larijani also criticized former US president Donald Trump, asserting that Iranian society would continue to resist pressure and maintain its support for the Palestinian cause.
Despite reports of strikes near the capital, demonstrations continued across several provinces. Participants voiced support for Khamenei and Iran’s armed forces while chanting slogans against foreign intervention. Observers said the turnout and continued marches illustrated a strong sense of unity between Iran’s leadership and sections of the public.
In the central city of Yazd, commemorations began with the Iranian national anthem before crowds proceeded through the city’s main streets. Similar scenes were reported in other cities, where people carried placards and flags while gathering in organized marches to mark the occasion.
International Quds Day is observed annually on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. The event was established in 1979 by the late Iranian revolutionary leader Ruhollah Khomeini following the success of the Iranian Revolution. Its stated aim was to express solidarity with Palestinians and to protest Israeli control over Jerusalem, known in Arabic and Persian as al-Quds.
Over the decades, Quds Day has evolved into a global day of demonstrations, particularly in Muslim-majority countries, where supporters say it highlights Palestinian grievances and calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. For many participants, the day symbolizes unity and resistance, as well as continued political and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people.
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