By Emmanuel Abi Couson
Thousands of Iranians marched in Tehran on Friday after weekly prayers to protest Israel’s recent attacks on Iran.
The demonstrations drew large crowds expressing strong opposition to the Israeli strikes and support for Iran’s military efforts.
Among the prominent figures joining the march were Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, former IRGC commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, several government ministers, and the deputy speaker of parliament, according to Iran’s Jamaran News.
The protests were not limited to Tehran. Similar rallies took place across multiple cities including Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom, Shiraz, Qazvin, Yazd, and Gilan, reflecting widespread national solidarity amid the escalating conflict with Israel.
Participants carried portraits of Iranian leaders killed in the conflict and waved flags associated with Hezbollah, signaling regional alliances.
The demonstrations come amid ongoing airstrikes and missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, which have resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides. Iranian officials have condemned the Israeli attacks as unlawful aggression targeting civilians, nuclear facilities, and critical infrastructure.
Despite the violence, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has engaged in talks with European diplomats in Geneva, seeking diplomatic solutions while refusing direct negotiations with the United States as long as Israeli attacks continue.
The presence of senior Iranian officials at the protests underscores the regime’s effort to rally public support and project unity in the face of external military pressure.
The mass demonstrations highlight the deepening tensions in the region and the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
