Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Quds Day amid U.S.-Israeli attacks

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Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Quds Day amid U.S.-Israeli attacks

2026-03-14 00:37 Last Updated At：12:47

People across Iran took to the streets on Friday to mark International Quds Day, an annual event expressing support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli actions.

Several high-ranking Iranian officials also took part in the rallies in Tehran, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as well as cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

The event, established by Iran in 1979, is observed on the final Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, it fell on March 13 and amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.

In the capital, people marched from 10 different locations towards the iconic Enghelab Square in central Tehran, while waving Iran's flags and holding pictures of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The marchers condemned the "crimes" committed by the United States and Israel, voiced their support for the Iranian armed forces, and pledged allegiance to the new supreme leader.

According to the official news agency IRNA, Tehran's central areas near the rally path came under U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in the early minutes of the gathering, killing at least one person. Addressing reporters after the strikes, Larijani said the attacks are "out of fear and desperation."

Araghchi said despite the attacks today, millions of people have taken part in the rallies across Iran, which shows "the Iranians' firm determination and will in supporting" the country.

On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.

Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader.

U.S. carries out bombing raids on military targets in Iran's Kharg Island: Trump

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.