Deadly explosions rocked the Iranian capital near a major pro-government rally on Friday, as Israel’s military confirmed it had struck over 200 targets in western and central Iran. The attack, which state media reports killed at least one person, came as senior Iranian leaders gathered in Tehran to mark Quds Day, demonstrating public resolve amid the escalating conflict.
Despite the blasts, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani addressed the crowd, dismissing the attacks as acts of desperation. “One who is strong wouldn’t bomb demonstrations at all. It’s clear that the enemy has failed,” he stated. President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were also in attendance, with state TV capturing the moment a blast occurred while the head of the judiciary was being interviewed.
The war, which began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, has spiraled into a regional crisis, triggering a major oil shock and widespread displacement. On the ground, conditions are deteriorating rapidly:
- Humanitarian Crisis: The UN estimates up to 3.2 million people have been internally displaced. In Kermanshah, a resident described a grim reality where “bread is now rationed” and public trust in banks has collapsed.
- Regional Impact: Strikes have reduced buildings in central Beirut to rubble, and displaced families like Dalal al-Sayed’s are living in tents, unable to afford housing.
- Economic Warfare: Iran’s leadership has threatened to choke the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy artery. This has kept crude oil prices above $100 per barrel and prompted the IEA to warn of the “largest supply disruption in history.”
Meanwhile, the conflict is sending shockwaves through the global economy. US President Donald Trump has eased sanctions on Russian oil to stabilize markets, a move criticized by German officials as funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine. For those trapped in the crossfire, like Chinese sailor Wang Shang stranded on a tanker near Dubai, the reality is one of constant fear: “Every day on the ship, I can see missile launches and hear explosions, making me feel like I am in danger.”
