Blast Hits Tehran During Anti-Israel Quds Day Rally/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A powerful explosion struck central Tehran near a massive government-organized rally supporting Palestinians. Israel had warned residents to evacuate the area before the blast as the war between Israel, Iran and the United States intensified. The conflict is escalating across the Middle East, disrupting oil supplies and raising global economic concerns.
Tehran Explosion During Iran War Quick Looks
- A large explosion struck Tehran’s Ferdowsi Square during a major Quds Day rally.
- Thousands had gathered to show support for Palestinians and protest Israel.
- Israel issued a Farsi-language warning telling civilians to leave the area before the blast.
- No immediate casualties were reported after the explosion.
- The conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States is entering its third week.
- Iran has launched missile and drone attacks across the region.
- Oil prices remain elevated as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.
Deep Look
Explosion Rocks Tehran During Quds Day Rally
A large explosion shook central Tehran on Friday in an area where thousands of people had gathered for a government-organized rally supporting Palestinians and condemning Israel.
The blast struck near Ferdowsi Square, a key location where crowds assembled for the annual Quds Day demonstration, a major political event in Iran that calls for the liberation of Jerusalem and often features chants against Israel and the United States.
Israeli authorities had issued a warning shortly before the explosion, urging residents to leave the area. The warning appeared on a Farsi-language social media account operated by the Israeli military.
Despite the alert, few people likely saw the message because Iranian authorities have severely restricted internet access since the war began.
As smoke rose over the area, footage from the rally showed participants continuing to chant slogans such as “God is greatest,” even as the situation unfolded.
There were no immediate reports of casualties following the explosion.
Senior Officials Present
Several senior Iranian officials attended the rally when the blast occurred.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, had been speaking with state television reporters at the demonstration when the explosion happened.
Video from the scene showed his bodyguards quickly surrounding him as the blast rocked the area.
Ejei raised his fist and declared that Iran would not retreat despite the attacks.
“Under this rain of missiles, Iran will never withdraw,” he said.
Iranian security official Ali Larijani later described the suspected Israeli strike as evidence of Israel’s desperation.
War Intensifies Across Iran
The explosion came amid escalating Israeli airstrikes across Iran.
Israeli military officials said their forces had struck more than 200 targets in the previous 24 hours, including missile launch sites, air defense systems and weapons production facilities.
According to Israeli military data, more than 7,600 sites inside Iran have been targeted since the war began.
Israeli officials also said strikes hit an Iranian intelligence headquarters and several command centers where senior officials were believed to be present.
Massive U.S. Strike Campaign
The United States has also played a major role in the military campaign against Iran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces have struck more than 15,000 targets since the war began.
That pace averages more than 1,000 strikes per day, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing conflict.
U.S. officials also said they have focused on disrupting Iran’s ability to mine or block shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply passes, has been effectively closed during the conflict.
Iranian Leadership Vows Continued Resistance
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to continue the attacks and maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Khamenei assumed leadership after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening stages of the war.
Although the younger Khamenei has issued statements promising continued resistance, he has not appeared publicly since assuming power.
U.S. officials claimed that Khamenei may have been wounded early in the conflict, though no evidence has been provided publicly.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that the war could continue for some time.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the conflict would end “when I feel it in my bones.”
Regional Attacks Continue
Iran has continued launching missiles and drones across the Middle East as the war spreads beyond its borders.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting nearly 50 drones targeting infrastructure on Friday.
In Oman, two people were killed when drones crashed into an industrial area in the port city of Sohar.
Authorities in Dubai also reported damage to a building in the Dubai International Financial Center after debris from an intercepted projectile struck the area.
Iran had previously warned it could target financial institutions following an airstrike that damaged a bank in Tehran.
Missile Intercepted Over Turkey
The conflict also spilled into NATO territory when a U.S. Navy destroyer intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over Turkey.
The USS Oscar Austin shot down the missile during an attempted attack, marking the third such interception over Turkey in the past two weeks.
Residents in the southern Turkish city of Adana reported hearing explosions and sirens at Incirlik Air Base, a major installation used by U.S. forces.
Fighting Escalates In Lebanon
The war has also intensified along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
An Israeli strike on the coastal city of Sidon killed at least eight people and wounded nine others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Lebanese authorities said 773 people have been killed in Lebanon in the past 10 days, including more than 100 children.
More than 1,900 people have been injured, and nearly 800,000 residents have been displaced, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah militants fired rockets into northern Israel, wounding nearly 60 people, though most injuries were minor.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the military campaign was far from over.
He said current strikes were “just the beginning” and warned Lebanon that it could face increasing damage if Hezbollah continues its attacks.
Casualties Mount Across Region
The war has caused significant casualties across several countries.
Iranian authorities say more than 1,300 people have been killed inside Iran.
Israel has reported 12 deaths, while the United States has lost at least 13 service members, with several others seriously injured.
The conflict has also disrupted global energy markets, pushing oil prices close to $100 per barrel and raising fears of a potential global energy crisis.
U.S. Aircraft Crash Adds To War Toll
In a separate incident tied to the conflict, the U.S. military confirmed that six American airmen were killed after a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq.
Officials said the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire and that another aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.
The KC-135 accident marks the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft loss during the ongoing campaign against Iran.
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