Asia

40 Years On, Iran Celebrates Islamic Revolution Anniversary

After four decades of political and economic difficulties, Iranians are ready to face and tackle possible challenges that the new era may bring to their republic

February 12th, 2019
Katya Kolesnikova, News from Berlin
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Tehran, Iran- Despite the rain and snow in the Iranian capital, hundreds of thousands of people rallied through the streets of Tehran and other cities across Iran, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Monday's turnout might have been affected by the weather but the intensity of rhetoric against the United States and its allies - Israel and Saudi Arabia - was still prominent in the banners carried by the demonstrators.

American and Israeli flags were set on fire  by the marchers,  stepping on a caricature of US President Donald Trump, who in 2018 took a  decision to re-impose economic sanctions on Iran.

President Hassan Rouhani and reformist members of parliament, Mohammad Reza Aref and Ali Motahari, as well as senior Muslim leaders were presented among those present at the march that day.

Rouhani affirmed  he will not seek  permission from foreign powers to encourage Iran's missile program, which according to him is the necessity for a country to defend itself from external threats.

Similar demonstrations were held in other major cities, local journalist have reported, including the city Mashhad, which is the second most populous metropolis in Iran.

Monday's event, also referred to as the Ten-Day Dawn, marks the 10 days of protests, which followed the return from exile of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 revolution, which successfully overthrew the monarch of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry declared that since 1979, the nation is now "more mature, prudent, and powerful than ever".

References

News from Berlin