Iranians rally in Tehran to express support for government

Iranians took to the streets of Tehran on Saturday to show support for their country and government and protest against military actions by the United States and Israel.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. and Israel launched what U.S. President Donald Trump called "major combat operations" against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflict.

"I came here today to show my government and our armed forces that I stand with them. We are stronger than ever, and we stand firmly behind our country," said Saina, a Tehran Resident.

"We are here to show that we will always support our government. Like anyone else, I felt nervous — but I am here because I love my country. They may know exactly where we are. They may even know the position of our Supreme Leader. But he is not afraid — and neither are we," said Reza, another resident.

Waving national flags and holding portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the crowd chanted slogans condemning Israel and the U.S. while voicing support for the government.

Iran's state media confirmed Sunday that Khamenei was killed in U.S.-Israeli attacks on Saturday, and the Iranian government announced a 40-day mourning period after the report of the leader's death.

"We stand firm in support of our nation. We are here to show that we are ready to defend our country. I am just an ordinary citizen, but I am prepared to stand for my homeland," said Amir Ali, a Tehran resident.

"We are ready to sacrifice our lives if necessary, but we will not give up a single inch of our country to Israel," said Leila, another resident.

Iranians rally in Tehran to express support for government

Canada's real GDP growth slowed to 1.7 percent in 2025, marking the slowest annual growth rate since 2020, Statistics Canada said Friday.

A decrease in exports, particularly to the United States, was the primary driver behind the cooling economy, said the national statistical agency.

According to the agency, total exports fell 1.7 percent in 2025, largely due to a sharp drop in shipments to the United States during the second quarter despite the increases in the latter half of the year.

It said that 2025 saw the first annual contraction in non-farm inventories since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In contrast, farm inventories rose for the first time in three years, bolstered by strong crop production.

Household final consumption expenditure grew by 2.3 percent, remaining consistent with the growth rates of the previous two years.

Total capital investment increased by 1.4 percent in 2025, significantly driven by government spending, with a 45.9-percent surge in investment in weapons systems.

The agency said that both services-producing and goods-producing industries saw growth in 2025, with 16 out of 20 industrial sectors expanding. The finance and insurance sector, along with oil and gas extraction, was the largest contributor to growth.

The manufacturing sector was the biggest laggard for the year, hampered by the negative impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian products, said Statistics Canada.

Canada's real GDP slows to 1.7 percent in 2025: authorities