Overview

• Thousands of protesters rallied after Friday prayers in Tehran, Baghdad and Beirut, chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans and burning their flags.
• In Tehran, crowds held photographs of commanders killed in recent strikes and waved Iran and Hezbollah flags to demonstrate unity behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• The demonstrations came after Israel’s Operation Rising Lion targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities and prompted Tehran to retaliate with missile barrages.
• Iran-backed Iraqi factions have threatened to strike US interests if Washington joins Israel’s campaign.
• Iran’s foreign minister met European counterparts in Geneva as the UN Security Council convened in New York at Tehran’s request to seek de-escalation.