A powerful explosion struck central Tehran near Ferdowsi Square during a pro-government Quds Day rally. Thick smoke was seen rising from the area as crowds gathered near Enghelab Street for the annual demonstrations. Quds Day is an annual pro-Palestinian event held on the last Friday of Ramadan and was established in 1979 by Iran’s first Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.  

Tensions in the West Asia have surged dramatically after Iran launched a fresh wave of missile strikes toward Israel, shortly after Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the country’s new supreme leader. Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB confirmed that the first wave of missiles was launched under Mojtaba’s leadership, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Iran-Israel confrontation. While military developments unfolded across the region, unrest was also reported inside Iran. Videos from Tehran captured protesters chanting anti-Mojtaba slogans, with women’s voices clearly heard rejecting the leadership transition. Demonstrations broke out in parts of the capital even as religious chants echoed in the background. WATCH