Iranians celebrate 1979 revolution

– Hundreds of thousands of Iranians held nationwide rallies yesterday to mark the 40th anniversary of the fall of the Shah and the triumph of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Shi’ite cleric who led an Islamic Revolution that rattles the West to this day.

On February 11, 1979, Iran’s army declared its neutrality, paving the way for the collapse of the US-backed monarch, the US’ closest ally in the Middle East.

State TV showed large crowds defying frigid weather and carry- ing Iranian flags while chanting “death to Israel, death to America”, trademark chants of the revolution which toppled the US’ most important ally in the Middle East.

The large turnout in state-sponsored rallies came as Iranians face rising prices, food shortages and high inflation that have triggered waves of protests.

US President Donald Trump pulled out of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers last year and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, dealing a blow to the country’s economy. Iranian officials said the move amounted to “economic warfare”.

In a speech at Tehran’s Azadi, or Freedom, square, President Hassan Rouhani dismissed US efforts to isolate Iran, saying US 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 in a speech.