"Hundreds of Iranians marked the birth anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, as well as the sixth anniversary of the killing of former Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani, in Imam Khomeini Square in Tehran with the largest performance ever held, known as Fath Khaybar or ‘Conquest of Khaybar’. Footage from Saturday shows artists performing on stage with musical performances that immerse the audience in the historic narrative alongside fireworks displays. Spectators could also be seen waving Iranian flags as they watched the events. Several attendees spoke about the recent protests in Iran during the event. Attendee Taheri noted, “Iran’s Leader spoke out today, saying that riots are different from protests. Everyone’s expectations should be heard, and officials should do their work.” “We are, in fact, a family in this country, and those who do not live here do not have the right to interfere in the protests that occur. Like a family, we should solve our problems on our own,” stressed another attendee, Fatemeh. The event, organised to mark the birth of Imam Ali and the anniversary of Soleimani’s killing, formed part of the ‘It Will Return’ campaign, which included the unveiling of a new monument in tribute to Imam Ali. The event comes after days of protests by merchants in Tehran denouncing worsening economic conditions, including the Iranian rial’s sharp decline against the US dollar. The protests later spread across several cities. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, cited by the Iranian News Agency (IRNA), reaffirmed that the government’s aim is to ease pressure on people’s livelihoods and curb corruption in supply and distribution chains. He added that the government is willing to accept criticism, oversight, and support from all concerned citizens in the country."