Nationwide Rallies in Defense of Quds

Massive groups of people took to the streets in downtown Tehran and other Iranian cities on Friday to hold protest rallies against the US move to recognize Beit-ul-Moqaddas as the capital of the Israeli regime, which has drawn widespread international condemnation.

Marching after the Friday prayers, the protesters shouted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, joining other Muslim nations who also demonstrated against the controversial US measure, notably Palestine, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria and Iraq, IRNA reported.

Announcing the decision that marked a dramatic shift, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he has ordered his administration to begin preparations for relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Beit-ul-Moqaddas. The Trump announcement sparked widespread criticism from members of the international community, including US allies in Europe and other regions.

  Sign of Frustration

The Leader of Islamic Revolution said on Wednesday the US announcement reveals the desperation of Washington and Tel Aviv in the face of Islamic resistance. The move "by Islam's foes to declare Quds as the capital of the Zionist regime was out of desperation and frustration", Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei also said in a meeting with the participants of the 31st International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran.

"The Muslim world will definitely stand against this plot, Israel will suffer another major blow and ultimately the beloved Palestine will undoubtedly be liberated," he said.

President Hassan Rouhani also blasted the move by his US counterpart, urging Muslims to voice their objection. Speaking in the same meeting, Rouhani said Tehran "will not tolerate a violation of Islamic sanctities."

Separately, Iran's Foreign Ministry blasted the Trump's move as a "clear violation of international resolutions", saying Quds was "an inseparable part of Palestine".

In a statement published on Thursday, the ministry said "the provocative and unwise decision" could inflame a new intifada against Israel.

"Iran ... urges the international community, influential countries and especially Islamic countries to prevent the implementation of this US action, which is only to benefit the Zionist regime and not the stability of the region," the statement said.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation is to hold a special summit on Dec. 13 to discuss the issue.