Iran anniversary

Iranians yesterday poured onto the streets of Tehran and other cities and towns across the country to mark the date 40 years ago that is considered victory day in the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. On February 11 that year, Iran's military stood down after days of street battles, allowing the revolutionaries to sweep across the country while the Government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi resigned. Crowds were marching yesterday, heading out from a dozen points in the Iranian capital toward Tehran Azadi, or Freedom Square. Tehran's downtown Enghelab, or Revolution Street, was decorated with huge balloons. Loudspeakers were blaring out revolutionary and nationalist songs to encourage people to join the rallies. This year's anniversary came as tensions are rising with the US and Iran is grappling with reimposed US sanctions.