Thousands of Muslims in Iran gathered for Eid al-Fitr prayers on Saturday, marking the end of Ramadan, even as the country faces ongoing conflict in the region, state television footage showed.
Iran, a majority-Shia nation, observed Eid a day after most predominantly Sunni Muslim countries. Traditionally led by the country’s supreme leader, the prayers were not attended by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since his appointment earlier this month.
The head of the judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, led prayers at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque, named after the founder of the Islamic Republic. Due to limited space, many worshippers participated outside the mosque, despite the ongoing threat of attacks.
The Iranian capital has experienced near-daily bombardments since a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, which killed top officials, including the father and predecessor of Mojtaba Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Overnight strikes again targeted Tehran, its outskirts, and the central city of Isfahan, according to Fars News Agency.
State television also showed Eid prayers taking place in other cities, including Arak, Zahedan, and Abadan, highlighting the widespread observance of the festival despite the ongoing conflict.
