A series of massive explosions rocked the Iranian capital on Friday after Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes on strategic infrastructure in Tehran. The attacks came at a critical time when mass anti-Israel Quds Day rallies were taking place in the streets, attended by thousands of people, including high-ranking government officials.
The center of Tehran was rocked by large-scale explosions on Friday, the Iranian TV station IRIB reported. According to her, the area hit was near the place where gatherings are held on the occasion of Quds Day. According to Sky News, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, is also participating in the protest marches, reports TASR.
- Large-scale explosions rocked the center of Tehran near mass gatherings.
- The explosions followed Israel’s announcement of a new wave of attacks on Iran.
- Demonstrators shout slogans such as “Death to Israel” and “Death to America”.
The explosions in a Tehran square near ongoing rallies came after Israel announced a new wave of large-scale attacks on the Islamic Republic’s infrastructure in Tehran. However, the cause of the explosions was not immediately known. According to the AP agency, they occurred near the site that Israel claimed it would strike.
Explosions and smoke
IRIB published images capturing smoke rising over the Iranian capital. A video by Iran’s Tasnim agency shows thick smoke and protesters shouting: “Death to Israel” and “Death to America”.
According to CNN, Israel has issued new orders to evacuate areas in Tehran near the rally. CNN noted that the Israeli military issued these orders through the X network, which is blocked in Iran.
Day of Quds and Assembly
Thousands of supporters of the Iranian government are taking part in Friday’s demonstrations, reports the DPA agency, according to which they are anti-Israel rallies.
The gatherings mark Quds Day, which was declared in 1979 by Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and takes place on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. According to DPA, Kuds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem.
