Iranians hold nationwide protests against US al-Quds decision

Large groups of Iranians have taken to the streets across the country to protest against US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital.”

Protesters in the capital city of Tehran and other cities across the country staged anti-Israeli rallies after Friday prayers.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defied global warnings and said the US formally recognizes Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel, and will begin the process of moving its embassy to the occupied city, breaking with decades of American policy.

In Tehran, tens of thousands of protesters condemned Trump’s decision, chanting slogans against Israel and the US and expressing support for the Palestinian nation.

The protesters were holding up Palestinian flags and banners saying, “al-Quds belongs to Muslims.” They also burned Israeli and US flags.

‘Intifada sole solution to Palestine issue’

Tehran’s interim Friday prayers leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami called on Muslims around the world to unite against Israel, saying, “We will not leave Palestinians alone.”

Ayatollah Khatami said Trump had drawn a line on years of peace efforts by recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli entity’s “capital.”

“He proved that the cure for the issue of Palestine is only, only, an intifada,” he said. “Only intifadas can turn day into a dark night for the Zionist regime.”

He said the fate of Palestine should be determined in a referendum in which Muslims, Christians and Jews can have their say as he urged the Palestinian people to rise and "rage against this occupying regime."

In several cities protesters set effigies of Trump on fire.

Washington’s al-Qud move has raised a chorus of outcry across the international community. The Muslim world, the United Nations and even US allies in the West have warned against its realization, saying it would plunge the already tumultuous region into new upheaval.

Palestinian leaders have declared Friday as the “day of rage” against Israel and the US.

The UN Security Council is set to hold an urgent meeting on Washington’s announcement later in the day.

Late on Wednesday, Deputy Palestinian UN envoy Feda Abdelhady-Nasser said in a letter to the UN Security Council that Trump’s move violates numerous resolutions that prohibit changes to the status of Jerusalem al-Quds.

Protests are underway across Palestinian territories and around the world against Washington’s decision with regard to Jerusalem al-Quds.

The entire Jerusalem al-Quds is currently under Israel’s control, while the regime also claims the city’s eastern part, which hosts the third holiest Muslim site.

The city has been designated as “occupied” under international law since the 1967 Arab War, which Palestinians want as the capital of their future state.

Trump had vowed during his presidential campaign that he would relocate the US embassy in order to court pro-Israel voters.

Palestinians have repeatedly warned Trump against such an action, saying it would deliver a death blow to any prospects of the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and fuel extremism in the region.