TEHRAN – People across Iran has rallied on the International Quds Day, marked on the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan, to express their solidarity with Palestinians and condemn Israeli atrocities.

Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif, the spokesperson for Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and director-general of the Intifada headquarters in Tehran, stated that pro-Palestine rallies occur in over 2,000 locations across Iran. This year's Quds Day march carries the slogan "Quds Day, from al-Aqsa Storm to al-Ahrar (freedom seekers) Storm."

In Tehran, the demonstrations coincided with a funeral procession for the victims of an Israeli airstrike on the consular building of the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Participants carried images of the martyrs and banners with slogans denouncing Israel and the United States. 

Demonstrators from diverse backgrounds proudly displayed Iranian and Palestinian flags alongside banners demanding "Free Palestine" and "Al-Quds must be liberated."

Senior Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, minister of foreign affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, and IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmaeil Ghaani, joined the marches in Tehran. 

The mass rally in the Iranian capital was also attended by Palestine’s Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziyad Nakhalah and Abd al-Aziz al-Muhammadawi, chief of staff of Iraq’s anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units, better known as Hashd al-Sha'abi.

Ziyad Nakhalah delivered a significant address during the demonstrations, emphasizing the unity of all fronts within the resistance axis against the Zionist enemy. Nakhalah declared, "In conjunction with the unwavering steadfastness and resistance exhibited by the Palestinian people, victory is assured across these fronts." Highlighting the current strength of the resistance axis, he pointed to ongoing developments in southern Lebanon, Yemen, and operational activities in Iraq as testament to the unity, potency, and preparedness of this axis in combatting Israel.

Previously, the Secretary-General had underscored the importance of World Quds Day as a platform to bolster unity among the people and fighters, aligning their objectives. He further asserted, "Gaza stands resolute alongside its valiant populace and fighters, serving as a pivotal juncture in our nation's journey towards Quds. With divine assistance, victory is imminent." Emphasizing the pivotal role of resistance forces across various sectors and fronts, he affirmed their parallel alignment with the Palestinian Resistance movement.

Al-Muhammadawi, on his part, asserted that Israel's decline is evident through the collective efforts of the Axis of Resistance. He emphasized the awaiting of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's guidance, expressing confidence in Palestinian victory and the eventual downfall of the occupying regime.

“Definitely, what is unfolding today among all the groups of the Axis of Resistance in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran is the declaration of Israel’s decline,” Muhammadawi, known as Abu Fadak, told reporters on Friday.

Nigerian students in Tehran also showed their support for Palestine and Iran. Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky was also among the attendees. 

In a statement on Quds Day this year, Iran’s foreign ministry said the event has “now turned into a symbol of the unity of the entirety of humanity”. The ministry also condemned the United States and Western states for lending support to Israel in its war on Gaza.

Iran determined to hold the Zionist regime accountable: IRGC chief

Major General Hossein Salami, the chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, delivered a powerful address to a large gathering during the Quds Day procession in Tehran. He began by condemning the Zionist regime as a tool of Western powers, originally facilitated by the British regime and later strengthened by the United States.

Salami emphasized the Israeli regime's role in destabilizing the security and peace of the Palestinian nation and other Islamic and Arab territories. He recounted historical battles waged by Western powers against the Palestinian people, aiming to uproot and displace them, and highlighted America's complicity in these actions.

Salami criticized the United States’ shortsightedness in supporting a regime facing economic, political, and security challenges, warning of the global resentment it fuels against the United States. He noted America's declining influence in the region and the world but highlighted its continued support for the Zionist regime.

Salami stressed the regime's dependence on the United States’ support, cautioning that its collapse is imminent once this support is withdrawn. He pointed to the regime's precarious situation and its futile efforts to separate the battlefield from social and political life.

Salami condemned the Zionist regime's recent attack on Iran's consulate building in Damascus, warning that any aggression against Iran's sacred system would be met with a resolute response. He affirmed Iran's commitment to resisting imperial powers and ensuring victory through faith.

Salami concluded by expressing Iran's determination to hold the Zionist regime accountable, asserting that no force could undermine the nation's resolve.

Quds Day rallies: Bolder than ever across nation

The fervor of the rallies extended far beyond the streets of Tehran, resonating deeply in cities, towns, and even the smallest villages across Iran, where communities united in unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian cause. 

In a remarkable display of grassroots activism, Iranians from diverse backgrounds and regions came together to voice their staunch support for Palestine and to vehemently condemn the relentless atrocities perpetrated by Israel. 

What made this year's demonstrations particularly notable was the unprecedented surge in participation, surpassing previous years' rallies. The sheer magnitude of people flooding the streets, waving banners adorned with messages of solidarity and determination, was a testament to the growing momentum behind the movement to support Palestine. 

It was evident that the plight of the Palestinian people, in the backdrop of a 6-month long conflict in the Gaza Strip, had struck a chord deep within the hearts of Iranians, galvanizing them to take to the streets in unprecedented numbers to demand an end to the injustices and atrocities inflicted upon the Palestinians. 

This year's rallies coincided with heightened Israeli aggression against Palestinians, particularly in Gaza. Israel’s military offensive on besieged Gaza, which started on October 7, so far has resulted in the death of at least 33,037 Palestinians, with 75,668 others injured, according to the latest statistics from the Gaza health ministry.

The conflict has resulted in 85% of Gaza's residents being internally displaced, facing severe scarcities of essential resources like food, clean water, and medicine, as the majority of the region's infrastructure lies in ruins.

Quds Day, initiated by the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, in 1979, remains a steadfast expression of support for Palestine and opposition to Zionism.