TEHRAN Millions of Iranians swarmed streets across Iran on Monday to mark 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.
Television chanels showed large crowds defying frigid weather and carrying Iranian flags while chanting “Death to Israel, Death to America,” trademark chants of the revolution which toppled America’s most important ally in the Middle East.
One banner read: “Much to the dismay of America, the revolution has reached its 40th year.”
Nationwide rallies are held at the climax of ‘Ten Day Dawn’ celebrations to highlight the size of grassroots support for the revolution, which ended years of monarchical rule in Iran and replaced US backed Pahlavi dynasty with an Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Domestically, the event is also known as Ten-Day Dawn to commemorate the period following the February 1, 1979 return of Ayatollah Khomeini from 15 year exile. It also marks the official end of the 2,500 years of the Persian Empire.
Demonstrators in many cities have braved the cold weather as they descended on main crossroads to renew their allegiance to the Islamic Republic.
Iranian leaders have been pressing for larger turnout this year as United States under President Trump has been especially harsh with Iran after re-imposed toughest sanctions ever, in a move which is viewed as a regime change attempt against the Islamic Republic.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton had said the outcome of the country’s policy review should be to determine that Iran’s Revolution would not last until its 40th birthday. “And that’s why, before 2019, we will celebrate in Tehran!” he had told a convention of the terrorist MKO group in Paris in 2017.
On Monday hundreds of thousands of rain drenched people headed to the iconic Azadi (Freedom) Square in Tehran amid chants of “Death to America,” where President Hassan Rouhani delivered a fiery speech to the nation.
Earlier President along with his cabinet colleagues and other senior officials marched with the people to Azadi Square.
In his address President Rouhani said the 1979 revolution saved the country “from tyranny, colonisation and dependence”.
President Rouhani dismissed U.S. efforts to isolate Iran, saying U.S. sanctions could not break the Islamic Republic.”We will not let America become victorious… Iranian people have and will have some economic difficulties but we will overcome the problems by helping each other,” he said.
Iran was determined to expand its military power and ballistic missile program despite mounting pressure from hostile countries to curb Iran’s defensive work, Rouhani said.
This year, he underlined, we now hold the Feb. 11 rallies while the US, Zionist regime and their regional lackeys have exerted pressure on our nation, however, massive turnout throughout the country today proves that the plots of the enemies have been thwarted”.
“The enemies will never reach their evil goals. Our path will continue as it has during past four decades, he reiterated.
Demonstrators also chanted, “Death to America”, “Death to Israel” and “Death to the al-Saud” family of Saudi Arabia.
This year’s commemoration also comes just before a summit organised by the US in Poland’s capital, Warsaw, which is seen as an anti-Iran gathering.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as leaders from Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia and its allies, are expected in Warsaw on February 13 and 14 to attend the meeting reportedly aimed at finding was to change regime in Iran.
The policy of sanctions is also aimed at forcing ordinary Iranians out in the streets against the Islamic Republic, analysts say.
Washington which wants to impact the livelihood of ordinary Iranians who have been embattled by skyrocketing consumer prices following a dramatic drop in the value of the Iranian currency, the rial, due largely to US sanctions, has largely failed fueling frustration among Iran’s regional rivals patronized by the Washington.
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