Blast rocks Tehran after Israel threatened to target area where pro-government rally was being held

Smoke rises following an explosion during a protest marking the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on Friday, March 13, 2026. -- Photo: Mohammad Mahdi Dehghani/Fars News/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A large explosion rocked an area of Iran’s capital where thousands were gathered Friday for the annual state-organized Quds Day to support the Palestinians and call for Israel’s demise. Israel had earlier warned that it would target the area in central Tehran.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. But the decision to proceed with the mass demonstrations, and Israel’s threat to target the area, underscored the fierce determination on both sides nearly two weeks into a war that has rattled the global economy and shows no sign of letting up.