ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Iranian capital has come under heavy attack in the past 24 hours following the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei’s first message vowing to continue military operations against US forces and keep strategic pressure on Washington and its allies, as Quds Day rallies took place despite warnings of possible targeting by Israel.

Footage circulating on social media shows what appears to be heavy bombardment in different areas of Tehran since late Thursday, followed by overnight strikes that sparked large blazes in the eastern and southern parts of the city.

Earlier on Friday, Iranian semi‑official media reported that explosions were heard in some areas of Tehran and later said air defenses were confronting hostile targets in the sky over the capital.

The state broadcaster IRIB later invited people to join Quds Day rallies, held annually in solidarity with Palestinians, in Tehran, saying, “All conditions are ready for people to join the march.” 

Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday urged citizens to attend the occasion, saying, “An effective presence on the scene must be maintained,” and stressing it could be an element for “defeating the enemy.” 

The Quds Day rally in Iran, especially in Tehran, is a state‑organized event that draws participation from government officials and affiliated individuals and is used to demonstrate solidarity with state policy and ideological commitments.

The Israeli army earlier Friday warned residents in Tehran’s Villa and Monirieh areas to “immediately leave,” saying it “will be active in this area in the coming hour” to target Tehran’s “military infrastructure,” read a statement from the army’s Farsi X account. 

“Your presence in these areas endangers your lives,” the Israeli army said, with the Villa area being situated very close to locations hosting rallies, such as Enqelab Square and Azadi Street.

Footage shared by Iran’s semi‑official media showed areas near the Quds Day rally that were hit by an airstrike on Friday.

Iranian gatherings for Quds Day, held annually in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, were interrupted by a nearby airstrike, coming as Israel on Friday announced a new barrage of attacks on Tehran pic.twitter.com/O2PTQuW560

— The New Region (@thenewregion) March 13, 2026

Earlier on Friday, US President Donald Trump said that Washington is “totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically,” adding that “We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time — watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today,” he wrote on his Truth Social account.