Iranians mark Islamic Revolution anniversary
Tehran, Feb. 11: Iranians waved “Death to America” banners and took selfies with a ballistic missile on Thursday as they marked 37 years since the Islamic Revolution, weeks after Iran finalised a nuclear deal with world powers.
In the capital, hundreds of thousands converged on the historic Azadi Square, where President Hassan Rouhani made a speech addressing Iran’s political camps. “True ( conservatives), true reformists and true moderates are all revolutionary,” he said in remarks broadcast live on state television. “In our time, ‘ revolutionary’ means being in favour of participation, tolerance, and resistance, and having goods capable of competition in world markets.”
The anniversary of Iran’s 1979 revolution comes two weeks ahead of crucial parliamentary elections, when the moderate Rouhani will hope for a shift in the balance of power in Parliament, which is currently dominated by conservatives.
“Political factions should put aside any confrontation ... We need consensus now,” Mr Rouhani said. “Don’t turn your backs on the ballot boxes.”
He also defended the nuclear deal, which hardliners oppose as a concession to pressure from Washington. He said it protected the Islamic Republic's rights to nuclear power and strengthened the country’s international and regional position.
Many demonstrators on Thursday carried the traditional placards reading “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” while others carried the Iranian flag. Organisers read a statement to the crowd, saying that the US remained “the number one enemy of Iran”.
Young people at a rally reconstructed a scene from mid- January that saw US Navy sailors detained by Iranian Revolutionary Guards.