Quds Day

Quds Day is an annual event, typically marked by rallies and demonstrations in Iran and some other countries, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israeli control of Jerusalem (Al-Quds in Arabic). It is traditionally held on the last Friday of Ramadan. Quds Day is newsworthy now because Iranian President and Foreign Minister participated in rallies in Tehran despite recent US-Israeli strikes and heightened tensions. These appearances contradict claims by the US that Iranian leaders are "hiding." Furthermore, the event occurs during a period of leadership transition in Iran, following the death of the Supreme Leader and the potential succession of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The rallies serve as a public display of unity and defiance amidst internal political shifts and external pressures, highlighting the continued importance of the Palestinian cause in Iranian foreign policy and domestic political discourse.