At least one woman was killed following an explosion during a mass march in the Iranian capital on Friday, as the nation marked International Quds Day amid heightened regional tensions and military warnings from Israel.
Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that the victim died during the annual event, which expresses support for Palestinians and condemns Israeli actions. In a social media post, IRNA attributed the death to "the bombing of Tehran" by Israel and the United States.
On Friday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued an urgent evacuation warning via its Persian-language social media accounts, urging residents in three designated areas of Tehran and Qazvin Province to leave immediately ahead of planned military operations.
Footage from the scene confirmed that an explosion took place near one of the designated rally sites in Tehran. Despite the blast and the imminent threat of further strikes, crowds of demonstrators refused to disperse. Instead, participants continued to wave Iranian flags and chant anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans.
Explosions occur near mass march in Tehran
Military targets in Iran's Kharg Island have been "totally obliterated" in the latest U.S. bombing raids, U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday on Truth Social.
"Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," the president wrote in the post.
He added that he had "chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island."
"However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision," Trump wrote.
A spokesman from the Iranian Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned on Saturday local time that the "smallest attack on the energy infrastructure and ports" will trigger a "crushing and devastating response".
"In the event of such aggression, all oil and gas infrastructure in the region in which the U.S. and its Western allies are stakeholders will be set on fire and destroyed," he said.
Located about 24 kilometers off the coast of Iran in the Gulf, Kharg Island serves as the export terminal for 90 percent of Iran's oil shipments.
U.S. carries out bombing raids on military targets in Iran's Kharg Island: Trump
U.S. carries out bombing raids on military targets in Iran's Kharg Island: Trump
