KERMANSHAH, IRAN May 9, 2026 – Large crowds took to the streets of the western Iranian city of Kermanshah late on Saturday for nighttime rallies, openly carrying rifles and waving Iranian flags in a show of defiance and solidarity amid ongoing regional tensions.
A video posted by the official X account of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Hyderabad, India, captures the gatherings on what the post describes as the “70th night” of the conflict. The roughly two-minute footage shows groups of men — including both elderly and younger participants — marching through the streets at night, chanting, and expressing strong support for the country’s leadership and armed forces. Several individuals speak directly to the camera, while others gesture with weapons. On-screen watermarks identify the location as Kermanshah, with some footage attributed to Fars Kermanshah.
In the accompanying caption, the consulate stated:
“Just to make it clear, Iranians have enough weapons to fight back enemies. On the 70th night, people are still on the streets to support the Supreme Leader, Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei and Iranian armed forces.
Biji Kord, Biji Iran.”
The Kurdish phrase “Biji Kord, Biji Iran” translates roughly to “Long live Kurds, Long live Iran,” underscoring national unity and Kurdish-Iranian solidarity during the prolonged crisis.
The rallies come months after a leadership transition in Iran earlier this year, when Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of Supreme Leader. The demonstrations appear intended to project continued domestic backing for the government and military despite weeks of reported strikes, blockades, and economic strains linked to the wider regional conflict involving U.S.-Iran tensions and disruptions to oil supplies.
The consulate’s post, which had received modest engagement by evening, frames the scenes as evidence of public resolve and military preparedness. No independent verification of the exact scale or official attendance figures was immediately available, though the video depicts sizable, energetic crowds in what appears to be a public display of support.
This latest show of street-level backing follows similar pro-government mobilizations reported across Iran in recent weeks as the conflict enters its third month.
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