Iranians Mark Eid with Prayers Despite Ongoing Conflict

For the first time, millions of Iranians across participated in Eid al-Fitr prayers on Saturday without the late Leader, Martyr Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, who had led the services for decades.

The Imam Khomeini Mosalla in the capital hosted the primary prayer at 8:00 AM, while concurrent prayers were held in cities and villages across the country, according to Mehr News Agency.

Mosques and prayer areas welcomed worshippers at 6:30 AM, and authorities made plans to control the number of people who may enter. Sheikh Ali Akbari, the president of Iran’s Friday Prayer Imams’ Policy Council, led the prayer at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran.

Outside squares surrounding the prayer places were crowded with worshippers despite the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.

The Iranian attendance, in the absence of their leader and during a time of war, illustrates the people’s resolve that Iran’s enemies would not succeed, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Tehran.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson, Martyr Ali Mohammad Naeini, was also laid to rest in the capital. The burial service was held in the Mosalla after the Eid prayer.

Large-scale protests against the continued US-Israeli aggression and in support of the regime occurred throughout Iran after the Eid prayers.

Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, the IRGC’s spokesperson and deputy for public relations, was killed in a US-Israeli bombing early on the final day of Ramadan. The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) grieved on Friday.

The IRGC described Naeini’s martyrdom as a “proud martyrdom in the fields of culture and media” and expressed condolences to his family, fellow officers, media representatives, and the people of Kashan.

The statement highlighted Naeini’s 40 years of service and his achievements to maintaining the Islamic Revolution, especially during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, when he was instrumental in recording and describing the fighting. He has been the IRGC’s spokesperson in recent years, most notably during Operations True Promise 1 through 4.

Naeini’s revolutionary concepts and tactics in “soft warfare” were highlighted by the IRGC, which referred to them as guiding principles for individuals involved in cognitive operations against adversaries.

The statement reaffirmed the IRGC’s commitment to upholding its spiritual and soft-power influence and ensuring the corps’ voice remains strong among believers while praising his bravery and dedication and promising to continue the path of steadfastness and hope exemplified by him and his martyred brother.