Protesters in Tehran took to the streets to mark Al-Quds day, setting fire to flags of the United States and Israel. A large crowd assembled in the Iranian capital, proudly displaying Iranian flags and listening to speeches by notable religious leaders.

This annual event, in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, drew massive crowds engaging in marches and patriotic festivities. Videos from Iran captured thousands of demonstrators burning American and Israeli flags while chanting slogans against both countries.

The Al-Quds day march is a yearly pro-Palestinian gathering initiated by revolutionary figure Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979. It occurs on the final Friday of Ramadan and is observed globally by pro-Palestine advocates. Khomeini portrayed the event as a worldwide plea for Muslim unity in support of Palestinians and against Israeli dominance in Jerusalem.

In the UK, authorities have prohibited a planned pro-Palestinian Al-Quds day march set for Sunday, citing the need to prevent potential public disturbances. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood endorsed the ban request from London’s Metropolitan Police, marking the first protest ban in London in over ten years.

The decision to halt the march came amid concerns that the demonstration’s support for the Iranian regime could spark unrest. Ms. Mahmood justified the ban as a measure to avert disorder given the scale of the protest and anticipated counter-protests amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. She emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations and warned of legal consequences for anyone inciting hatred or division.

Despite claims from the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), the march’s organizer, that the event is typically peaceful, this marks the first protest ban in London since 2012.