WANA (Jun 14) – On the night following the Israeli strike aimed at instilling fear in the hearts of Iranians, Tehran witnessed not despair, but a tidal wave of unity, resolve, and righteous rage.

 

The Ten-Kilometer Ghadir Gathering, traditionally a symbol of faith and celebration, transformed into a powerful outcry against injustice. Children raised their voices with chants of “Death to Israel,” while mothers of fallen heroes marched with portraits of their sons held high, declaring: “Retribution is near.”

 

On the night of June 13, 2025, while the regime in Tel Aviv sought to terrorize Iran through its latest military assault, the Iranian people delivered their response—not from behind barricades, but from the heart of their capital.

 

Millions flooded Enghelab Street in a symbolic sea of white, turning the Ghadir celebration into the world’s largest declaration of resistance. It was not fear that filled the streets—it was conviction, transformed into thunder.

People attend an anti-Israeli rally following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

From the earliest hours, families donning white garments — the traditional color of Ghadir, now infused with the memory of martyrdom — made their way into the city’s heart.

 

Their white attire stood as a testament to purity, loyalty, and sacrifice — a defiant message to Israel and the United States that the blood of Iran’s martyrs fuels not sorrow, but strength.

 

Loudspeakers from roadside pavilions echoed with “Allahu Akbar,” launching a massive spiritual mobilization. Leading the march were children—faces innocent, eyes unwavering—carrying placards that read:

“We are the heirs of Haidar, breakers of Khyber. Now it’s our turn to rise.”

 

Nearby, youth aged 12 to 15 formed a human chain, setting the Israeli flag ablaze while chanting: “Death to Israel! Death to America!”

 

At precisely 6 p.m., the celebration reached its emotional apex. Millions stood as one and cried out:

“Death to Israel!”
“America, America — shame on your deceit!”
“Our tears today shall give way to vengeance tomorrow.”
“We remain loyal to our pledge, O Khamenei!”

People attend an anti-Israeli rally following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Street performances brought history and resistance to life. Reenactments of Gaza’s suffering and Hezbollah’s defiance stirred the crowd, with one performance recreating the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, winning thunderous applause. Each scene was not just theatre—it was testimony.

 

At the front lines marched the mothers of martyrs, bearing photographs like medals of honor. One mother, her voice trembling yet resolute, said:

 

“Last night, Israel believed it could frighten us with missiles. Today, we’ve shown the world that every strike only deepens our resolve to strike back harder.”

 

Even riot police, with badges honoring fallen comrades, stood shoulder to shoulder with the people. A colonel, requesting anonymity, said:
“Today, we are one nation, one heart, one purpose: to erase Zionism from the pages of time.”

 

Throughout the procession, symbolic bonfires were lit, consuming the emblems of “Zionism”. One unforgettable moment came as teenagers erected a replica of Israel’s separation wall—then, linking arms, they tore it down in a breathtaking display of unity and rebellion.

 

University students brought innovation and art into the arena of protest. A collective of visual arts students unveiled a massive mural of Al-Aqsa Mosque emblazoned with slogans.

 

Elsewhere, small drones soared above the crowd, trailing Iranian flags in a spectacle of technological pride and patriotic symbolism.

A man holds an anti-Israeli poster during an anti-Israeli rally following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

As the sun began to set, the masses—hand in hand—sang “Salam Farmandeh” in one voice. Golden rays bathed the sea of white garments, casting a radiant glow over a nation unshaken by threats and proud of its resistance. It was a scene both poetic and powerful: a portrait of faith, defiance, and endurance.

 

The 2025 Ghadir Gathering became more than a celebration. It evolved into a ten-kilometer frontline in the psychological and cultural battle against global arrogance. It was a message to the world: Every aggression only hardens Iran’s will. Every martyr sows the seeds of a new defender.

 

The children of today are the guardians of Quds tomorrow — and this truth echoes far beyond Tehran.

 

This year’s Ten-Kilometer Ghadir was not just a response — it was a revelation: that even in the darkest hours, Iran’s unity and belief can turn threats into thunder.

 

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Eid al-Ghadir is one of the most significant religious holidays for Shia Muslims. It commemorates an event that took place in the year 632 CE, when the Prophet Muhammad, during his return from his final pilgrimage, stopped at a place called Ghadir Khumm. There, he is believed to have declared his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, as his successor, saying:

“Whomsoever I am his master, Ali is his master.”

 

Shia Muslims regard this moment as the formal appointment of Imam Ali as the rightful leader after the Prophet — a foundational event in the shaping of Shia identity. For them, Eid al-Ghadir is not only a celebration of loyalty and leadership, but also a reaffirmation of justice, spiritual continuity, and devotion.

 

Traditionally, the day is marked by public gatherings, recitations, charity, white clothing (as a symbol of purity and unity), and expressions of allegiance to Imam Ali.

 

In recent years — particularly in Iran — the celebration has also taken on broader cultural and political meanings, especially in times of national stress or confrontation, as a symbol of unity, resilience, and resistance.