Iranians Turn Out in Thousands for Prayers Amid Airstrikes

Thousands of worshippers across Iran defied ongoing air raids on Saturday to observe Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of Ramadan under the shadow of a deepening Middle East conflict.

In the capital, Tehran, large crowds gathered at the Grand Mosalla mosque and adjoining open spaces, as many faithful were forced to pray outdoors due to limited capacity. The turnout came despite near-daily bombardments that have gripped the city since the outbreak of war on February 28.

The conflict, linked to joint military action involving the United States and Israel, has reportedly led to significant casualties, including top-ranking officials in the Islamic Republic.

In a notable departure from tradition, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, did not lead the Eid prayers and has remained out of public view since assuming office earlier this month. Instead, the country’s judiciary chief, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, represented the leadership at the central prayer ground.

Iran, a predominantly Shia nation, marked Eid a day after many Sunni-majority countries, in line with its religious calendar.

Reports from local media indicated that fresh overnight strikes hit several parts of Tehran as well as the historic city of Isfahan, underscoring the fragile security situation even as citizens gathered for prayers.

Elsewhere, similar scenes were recorded in cities such as Arak, Zahedan, and Abadan, where Muslims also came together in large numbers to observe the religious festival.

Despite the looming danger, the widespread turnout reflected a strong sense of faith and resilience among Iranians, choosing to mark one of Islam’s most important celebrations amid uncertainty and unrest.