TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Friday following weekly prayers to protest ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran, as the conflict entered its seventh day and continued to escalate across the region.
Iranian media broadcast footage showing men and women dressed in black, some carrying national flags, assembling outside the Grand Mosque of Imam Khomeini in the capital to condemn the attacks and express solidarity with the country’s leadership.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 1,230 people have been killed since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on social media platform X that several countries had initiated mediation efforts to defuse the crisis, although he did not name the countries involved.
“We are committed to lasting peace in the region, but we will not hesitate to defend the dignity and sovereignty of our country,” he said.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the evolving regional situation.
“The DPM/FM expressed concern over the developing regional situation. Both sides agreed to remain in contact regarding further developments,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement posted on X.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran’s actions were in response to aggression.
“This war was imposed on us,” he said in an interview with France 24, adding that Iran had been negotiating in good faith before the conflict erupted.
“We do not trust the Americans. Not only did they betray us, but they also betrayed diplomacy,” he said.
Markets react
US President Donald Trump on Friday called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” stating that once an acceptable leadership was established, Washington and its allies would work to rebuild the country’s economy.
However, he said deploying US ground troops in Iran would be a “waste of time.”
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the United States possessed sufficient weapons stockpiles for the ongoing military campaign, which she estimated could last between four and six weeks.
Financial markets reacted sharply to the escalating tensions and Trump’s remarks. European stock markets fell immediately after the statement, while Wall Street indexes also dropped, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 hitting their lowest levels in more than three months.
Regional escalation
The Israeli military said it had struck more than 400 targets inside Iran, as explosions were reported across Tehran, including near the landmark Azadi Tower.
Iranian media also reported that a school in Tehran was damaged in the strikes, while at least two people were killed when a residential building in the city of Qom was hit.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier warned that military operations over Iran and Tehran would intensify.
In response, Iran said it had launched drones and missiles targeting Israel and US military installations in the region.
Explosions were heard in several Israeli cities, including Jerusalem, as air defence systems intercepted incoming projectiles.
Attacks across Gulf
Several Gulf countries reported drone and missile incidents amid the escalating conflict.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia said their defence systems had responded to aerial threats.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a cruise missile east of Al-Kharj, although it did not identify the source.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a strike on the Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, alleging the base had been used for operations against Iran.
Iranian forces also said they had targeted US military facilities in Kuwait and warned of further strikes.
Explosions were also reported near Erbil airport in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, while drone strikes hit facilities at Baghdad airport and Basra airport, affecting nearby oil infrastructure.
Global concern
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating attacks across the Middle East, warning that the conflict could spiral further as more countries become involved.
Meanwhile, reports citing unnamed US officials claimed that Russia had shared intelligence with Iran regarding US military positions, although the Kremlin declined to comment on the claims.
Iran-Saudi stance
Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati welcomed Riyadh’s position that its territory and airspace would not be used in attacks against Iran.
“We appreciate Saudi Arabia’s repeated assurances that its airspace, waters and territory will not be used against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
Saudi Arabia had earlier supported diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington before the outbreak of hostilities.