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In Pictures: Iran celebrates 40 years of Islamic revolution

After four decades of political and economic difficulties, Iranians put a brave face and vow to defend Islamic Republic.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran and other cities across Iran on Monday, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran and other cities across Iran on Monday, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
By 
Mohammad Ali Najib
11 Feb 2019
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Tehran, Iran – Despite the rain and snow in the Iranian capital, thousands marched through Tehran’s major streets to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 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.

The marchers were also seen setting on fire American and Israeli flags, and stepping on a caricature of US President Donald Trump, who in 2018 decided to reimpose economic sanctions on the country.

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

Rouhani said he will not seek permission from foreign powers to boost Iran‘s missile programme, which he said is necessary to defend the country from external threats.

Local reports say that similar demonstrations were held in other major cities, including Mashhad, the second largest metropolis in Iran.

Monday’s event, which is 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 American-backed 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”.

In Iran, the period of February 1-11 is also known as Ten-Day Dawn to commemorate the period of protests following the return of Ayatollah Khomeini from exile. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
In Iran, the period of February 1-11 is also known as Ten-Day Dawn to commemorate the period of protests following the return of Ayatollah Khomeini from exile. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Demonstrators marched through major streets of Tehran carrying banners against the United States and Saudi Arabia despite rain and snow that covered parts of the Iranian capital. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Demonstrators marched through major streets of Tehran carrying banners against the United States and Saudi Arabia despite rain and snow that covered parts of the Iranian capital. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Demonstrators also chanted 'Death to America', 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to the al-Saud' family of Saudi Arabia. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Demonstrators also chanted 'Death to America', 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to the al-Saud' family of Saudi Arabia. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
In Tehran, tens of thousands of marchers took to the streets to show their allegiance to the principles of the Islamic Republic. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
In Tehran, tens of thousands of marchers took to the streets to show their allegiance to the principles of the Islamic Republic. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The 1979 revolution ended the 2,500-year-old Persian Empire. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The 1979 revolution ended the 2,500-year-old Persian Empire. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The event also served as a backdrop to the military's display of Iranian-made missiles, which authorities showcase every year during the anniversary celebrations. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The event also served as a backdrop to the military's display of Iranian-made missiles, which authorities showcase every year during the anniversary celebrations. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
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Iran organises the nationwide rally every February 11 to highlight the support for the revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Iran organises the nationwide rally every February 11 to highlight the support for the revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The cold weather on Monday dampened the turnout of the event, but the intensity of rhetoric against the US and its allies - Israel and Saudi Arabia - was still unmistakable. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The cold weather on Monday dampened the turnout of the event, but the intensity of rhetoric against the US and its allies - Israel and Saudi Arabia - was still unmistakable. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Since the revolution, which united the country against the Shah, the country appears today to be more divided between the hardliners and the reformists. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Since the revolution, which united the country against the Shah, the country appears today to be more divided between the hardliners and the reformists. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Under President Donald Trump, the US has placed 'the toughest sanctions ever' by Washington on a country. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Under President Donald Trump, the US has placed 'the toughest sanctions ever' by Washington on a country. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The persisting severe economic hardship has angered low-income Iranians, igniting sporadic protests and strikes over the past year. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
The persisting severe economic hardship has angered low-income Iranians, igniting sporadic protests and strikes over the past year. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile 40 years ago was seen as a turning point to the success of the Iranian revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile 40 years ago was seen as a turning point to the success of the Iranian revolution. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Security has been tightened across Iran in the lead up to Monday's events. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
Security has been tightened across Iran in the lead up to Monday's events. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
On Monday, President Hassan Rouhani declared that the commemoration proves to its enemies that Iran is 'always steadfast in supporting our revolution'. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]
On Monday, President Hassan Rouhani declared that the commemoration proves to its enemies that Iran is 'always steadfast in supporting our revolution'. [Mohammad Ali Najib/Al Jazeera]

Related

Iran marks 40th anniversary of Islamic revolution

Iran marks 40th anniversary of Islamic revolution

President Rouhani leads the rain-soaked commemoration in Tehran and vows to continue the country’s missile programme.

RSF report coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution that brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power [Reuters TV]

Iran jailed hundreds of journalists after 1979 revolution: RSF

Files leaked to media watchdog show at least four journalists were allegedly killed by the government between 1979-2009.

Iran's top commander recently said Tehran could shift from a defensive to offensive military approach [Ebrahim Noroozi/AP]

Is Trump baiting Iran into an armed confrontation?

Analysts warn of heightened probability of conflict with Iran as ‘hardliners’ take control of Trump’s foreign policy.

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