Tehran, Iran - Feb 28, 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV)
1. Various of protesters on street, holding national flag of Iran, picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
2. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Saina, Tehran resident (full name not given):
"I came here today to show my government and our armed forces that I stand with them. We are stronger than ever, and we stand firmly behind our country."
3. Various of protesters on street, holding national flag of Iran, picture of Khamenei
4. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Reza, Tehran Resident
"We are here to show that we will always support our government. Like anyone else, I felt nervous - but I am here because I love my country. They may know exactly where we are. They may even know the position of our Supreme Leader. But he is not afraid - and neither are we."
5. Various of protesters on street, holding national flag of Iran
6. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Amir Ali, Tehran Resident (full name not given):
"We stand firm in support of our nation. We are here to show that we are ready to defend our country. I am just an ordinary citizen, but I am prepared to stand for my homeland."
7. Demonstrators riding motorbike, holding national flag of Iran
8. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Leila, Tehran Resident (full name not given):
"We are ready to sacrifice our lives if necessary, but we will not give up a single inch of our country to Israel."
9. Various of protesters on street, holding national flag of Iran

Iranians took to the streets of Tehran on Saturday to show support for their country and government and protest against military actions by the United States and Israel.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. and Israel launched what U.S. President Donald Trump called "major combat operations" against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflict.

"I came here today to show my government and our armed forces that I stand with them. We are stronger than ever, and we stand firmly behind our country," said Saina, a Tehran Resident.

"We are here to show that we will always support our government. Like anyone else, I felt nervous — but I am here because I love my country. They may know exactly where we are. They may even know the position of our Supreme Leader. But he is not afraid — and neither are we," said Reza, another resident.

Waving national flags and holding portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the crowd chanted slogans condemning Israel and the U.S. while voicing support for the government.

Iran's state media confirmed Sunday that Khamenei was killed in U.S.-Israeli attacks on Saturday, and the Iranian government announced a 40-day mourning period after the report of the leader's death.

"We stand firm in support of our nation. We are here to show that we are ready to defend our country. I am just an ordinary citizen, but I am prepared to stand for my homeland," said Amir Ali, a Tehran resident.

"We are ready to sacrifice our lives if necessary, but we will not give up a single inch of our country to Israel," said Leila, another resident.