Tehran, Iran, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Iranians have taken to the streets across the country to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1979 revolution, renewing their allegiance to the country’s Islamic principles at a time of rising economic and political pressure amid the resumption of punishing US sanctions.
Iran President Rouhani addressing ralliers in Tehran on victory anniversary of Islamic Revolution. Photo courtesy Irna
In his address to the demonstrators gathered at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) Square on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed US efforts to isolate Tehran, saying US sanctions could not break the Islamic Republic.
“The presence of people today on the streets all over Islamic Iran … means that the enemy will never reach its evil objectives,” Rouhani said, adding that the country will continue to pursue its missile programme to defend the country from external threats.
“We have not asked, and will never ask for permission in developing our missile arsenal as we continue to pursue our path to military might.”
Iran organises the nationwide rally every February 11 to highlight the size of grassroots support for the revolution, which replaced Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s government with an Islamic Republic under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Domestically, the event is also known as Ten-Day Dawn to commemorate the period of violent protests following the February 1, 1979, return of Khomeini from exile. It also marks the official end of the 2,500 years of the Persian Empire.
In Tehran, tens of thousands of marchers gathered at Azadi Square, one of the capital’s most iconic monuments built by the United States-backed shah and renamed after the victory of the forces loyal to Khomeini. Thousands of others also gathered in other cities including the holy city of Mashhad.
Estimates of the total crowd size across the country range from hundreds of thousands to millions of people, according to different Iranian publications.