Thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets of Tehran, Baghdad, and Beirut on Friday, voicing their anger over Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran and warning the United States to stay away. The protests followed weekly prayers and featured chants against both Israel and its primary ally, the United States.
In Tehran, state television showed crowds waving Iranian flags and photos of slain commanders. Protesters carried placards praising Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with one reading, “I will sacrifice my life for my leader.” From the southern city of Shiraz to Tabriz in the northwest, similar gatherings were reported across Iran.
According to Iranian cleric Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, who led the Friday sermon in Tehran, Israel’s strikes were an act of “desperation.” He accused Israel of attempting to incite unrest within Iran through “psychological warfare.” “Their plans were precise, but their calculations were laughable,” he said, urging Iranians to remain firm.
Protesters Burn Flags, Warn US in Iraq
In Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, thousands of loyalists of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr rallied in protest. They chanted, “No to Israel! No to America!” while waving Iraqi and Palestinian flags. Similar protests occurred in Kufa, where demonstrators set American and Israeli flags ablaze.
“It is an unjust war,” said Abu Hussein, a taxi driver. “Israel has no right to hit Iran. It’s not about nukes. They just want control of the Middle East.”
Iraq finds itself in a delicate position—serving as both a close ally of Iran and a strategic partner of the US. Many in the crowd warned of further unrest if the US were to step in militarily.
Beirut and Sanaa Join Iran’s Side
In Beirut, hundreds of Hezbollah supporters rallied in the southern suburbs, a known stronghold of the group. Men, women, and children waved the flags of Iran, Hezbollah, and Lebanon while holding portraits of Khamenei. Though Hezbollah has not openly committed to war, sentiments on the ground suggest the group is ready for conflict if provoked.
Adnan Zaytoun, a 60-year-old man in the crowd, said, “It is my duty to stand with Iran against the Zionist Israeli enemy.” An 18-year-old student added, “Even if they destroy our homes, we will not be defeated.”
Meanwhile, in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other regions under Houthi control, tens of thousands participated in similar demonstrations. The rallies were organized by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels and broadcast through their media platforms.
Iran-Israel War Triggers Anti-US Protests in Middle East
The Iran-Israel conflict has unleashed a wave of coordinated protests across multiple Middle Eastern capitals. With tensions high and voices on the streets growing louder, many fear a wider regional confrontation. As Iran’s allies vent anger toward Israel and the US, calls for restraint seem to be drowned out by the chants of resistance and defiance
