WANA (Jun 19) – The Islamic Republic’s Coordination Council for Islamic Propagation has announced a nationwide rally titled “Fridays of Anger and Victory”, to be held on Friday, June 20, immediately following Friday prayers across the country. The event, as stated in the official announcement, is a response to what it describes as “recent Zionist crimes against the people of Iran and Gaza” and “the insults and threats made by the U.S. President against the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

 

The statement reads: “At a time when Iran is navigating a critical phase in its confrontation with the Zionist regime and global hegemony, the Iranian people will once again take to the streets with fervent presence, amplifying the voice of resistance and condemning aggression and threats before the world.”

Pictures of those killed in Israeli strikes on Iran are displayed on a street, in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

A Response to Threats and a Salute to Armed Forces

The rally is primarily aimed at condemning recent Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, the assassination of senior Iranian commanders, nuclear scientists, and innocent civilians, and what the statement calls “Donald Trump’s shameless remarks against the Leader of the Revolution.” The Council has called on the public to demonstrate solidarity and “showcase the strength of Iran’s armed forces and national unity.”

 

Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of the council in Tehran province, invited all citizens and families of martyrs to participate in the event, describing it as a clear and united “response to foreign threats.”

Iranians take part in a protest marking the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Tehran

Iranians take part in a protest marking the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Tehran, Iran, March 28, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Regional Echoes Against Israel

In parallel, prominent Iraqi cleric and political figure Sayyed Muqtada al-Sadr has also called for peaceful demonstrations across several Iraqi provinces on Friday. In a post on the social platform X, he stated that the rallies aim to “condemn Israel’s aggression against Iran and its violation of Iraqi sovereignty.”

 

Background: From the First “Friday of Victory” to Threats Against Iran’s Leader

The first such event took place on October 4, 2024, which was designated as the “Friday of Victory.” At the time, some international media speculated that Iran’s Supreme Leader had gone into hiding for security reasons—rumors that were swiftly debunked by his public appearance at Friday prayers, along with mass nationwide turnout and official denials. Around the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats against the Iranian leader triggered widespread reactions both domestically and across the region.

 

 

It is also noteworthy that following the assassinations of prominent Resistance figures—including Hassan Nasrallah and the targeted killing of Ismail Haniyeh—a wave of grief and anger swept through supporters of the Resistance Axis across the region. In indirect but pointed comments, Iran’s Supreme Leader emphasized the need for “no delay in punishing Israel,” a statement widely interpreted by analysts as a direct message to Tehran’s adversaries.

Ayatollah Khamenei in Friday of Victory

The upcoming “Friday of Anger and Victory” appears to be more than a domestic protest. It symbolizes Iran’s response to evolving regional dynamics, the escalating threats facing its leadership, and a broader attempt to redefine the nation’s stance in the face of Western and Israeli military and media pressures.