Explosions rocked Ferdowsi Square in central Tehran on Friday during the annual al-Quds Day rally, where thousands of Iranians gathered to express solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israel. Iranian state media reported at least one woman killed by shrapnel from the midday blast, with rescue workers aiding the injured near the protesters.

The rally, held on the last Friday of Ramadan as instituted after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, drew chants of 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America,' with participants burning Israeli flags. Senior officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, attended, demonstrating regime defiance despite the risks.

Israel had issued a warning earlier via a Farsi-language account on X, urging people to clear Ferdowsi Square ahead of a planned strike, though Iranian authorities restricted internet access, limiting the alert's reach. Following the blast, Israel criticized Iran for blocking the warning and noted the presence of high-level officials at the site.

Iranian leaders condemned the attack as a sign of desperation. Larijani stated Israel was 'dropping bombs on Quds Day out of fear,' while Mohseni Ejei declared Iran 'will never withdraw' under missile fire. Pezeshkian urged greater turnout on X, saying Iranians should 'disappoint Iran's enemies by taking to the streets in greater numbers.' Crowds responded with shouts of 'Allahu Akbar' and continued the march.

The incident occurred on the 14th day of an escalating war between Israel, backed by the United States, and Iran, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 targeting Iran's nuclear program, missile sites, and leadership. Iran retaliated with missile and drone barrages on Israel and Gulf states, while its ally Hezbollah launched attacks from Lebanon. Over 15,000 targets have been hit by U.S. and Israeli forces, with more than 1,400 killed in Iran alone, according to Tehran's Health Ministry.

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven Brent crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, up 40% from pre-war levels. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Iran's military as 'decimated' and vowed to reopen the strait, while President Donald Trump posted that Iranian leaders had been 'wiped from the face of the earth.' Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed strikes on over 200 targets in the past day, including in Tehran.