An explosion occurred in central Tehran during Quds Day rallies, triggering panic as crowds fled and prompting a rapid security response, witnesses and online footage showed. Videos from the scene displayed smoke and people running while emergency crews moved through the area; ambulances were seen transporting injured participants. Independent confirmation of casualties and the full extent of damage was not immediately available.
Iranian officials issued limited statements, saying investigators had been dispatched to determine what happened. State media initially offered few details, while local reports said security forces had sealed off sections of the area and were interviewing witnesses. The cause of the blast — whether accidental, the result of an explosive device, or attributable to other factors — remained unclear as inquiries continued.
Quds Day, observed annually on the last Friday of Ramadan, draws large demonstrations in Tehran and elsewhere to express solidarity with Palestinians. Such rallies are typically tightly policed and politically sensitive; any violence at these events can inflame regional tensions. International outlets and foreign missions urged restraint and called for an impartial investigation. Authorities said they would provide further updates as more information becomes available.