'Victory and anger' rallies held across Iran after Friday prayers

Nobel laureate and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi sharply criticized Iran’s government on Friday for failing to build civilian shelters after 46 years of militarization and conflict.

Ebadi condemned the Islamic Republic for fostering hostility and war rhetoric that has brought devastation to the Iranian people and national infrastructure, yet neglected basic protective measures for civilians.

“How is it possible that a government pounding the drum of war for decades has not built even a single shelter or warning system for ordinary people?” she asked.

She highlighted the absence of modern alert systems capable of notifying residents via mobile phones and questioned official advice for people to seek refuge in mosques and metro stations—facilities often inaccessible or inadequate.

Ebadi accused Tehran of prioritizing protection of its leadership while sacrificing civilian lives, and condemned internet shutdowns that have cut off public communication during crises. “This government feeds on the blood of its people and uses their suffering as propaganda. It must be overthrown,” she said.

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Iran has formally requested UNESCO’s urgent intervention to safeguard its cultural and natural heritage from military threats linked to Israeli attacks.

In an official letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Iran highlighted its stewardship of over 40,000 nationally registered sites and 28 World Heritage nominations, including 54 historic caravanserais, the national railway, Hyrcanian forests, qanats, and historic gardens.

Iran warned that delays in UNESCO’s response could lead to irreversible damage to its World Heritage sites.

Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council issued a statement condemning US President Donald Trump’s remarks and declaring that surrender or accepting imposed peace is not an option.

"Trump and the dreamers of the camp supporting the false Zionist regime must know that the surrender of the great Iranian nation or acceptance of an imposed peace is a futile illusion and an unattainable fantasy."

The council reaffirmed the country’s resolve to defend its national and ideological principles under the leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

It criticized Trump’s call for an unconditional surrender as irrational and dismissive of Iran’s strength.

Iran will likely be a topic of discussion at next week's NATO summit, a German government spokesperson said during a news conference on Friday.

"We do not comment on allies' possible attack plans," the spokesperson said, referring to possible US military involvement in the Israel-Iran war.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether his country would join Israeli strikes.