Ceremonies marking the sixth anniversary of the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani are taking place in Iran and elsewhere in the region, with large gatherings reported in both Iran and Iraq. Commemorative events have drawn significant numbers of participants, reflecting the continued public observance of the anniversary.

In Iran’s Hamedan Province, thousands of people gathered in the streets following Friday prayers. Participants denounced acts of vandalism that authorities said were carried out by groups exploiting peaceful protests. Demonstrators chanted slogans opposing what they described as United States interference in Iran’s internal affairs and called on security forces to take firm action against individuals accused of threatening public security.

Iranian state television reported that authorities in Kermanshah Province arrested several individuals accused of manufacturing homemade weapons and Molotov cocktails, adding that those detained had been referred to judicial authorities. Pro-government demonstrations were also held in other parts of the country, where participants marked the anniversary of Soleimani’s kil-ling by the United States and voiced opposition to recent unrest, including chants directed against the United States and Israel.