As the Iranians mark 40th anniversary of the revolution, Rouhani defends the development of Iran’s missile power

Different Iranian cities were today witnessing huge gatherings of the people who were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. The ceremonies in the capital Tehran were also attended by the Iranian president who made a speech for the attendees.

کد خبر: ۸۷۷۵۲۱

تاریخ: ۲۲ بهمن ۱۳۹۷ - ۱۷:۵۴

Tabnak – Different Iranian cities were today witnessing huge gatherings of the people who were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. The ceremonies in the capital Tehran were also attended by the Iranian president who made a speech for the attendees.

According to the local media, Iranian people attended nationwide demonstrations on Monday in celebration of the 40th anniversary of victory of the 1979 revolution which ended six decades of Pahlavi monarchy and founded the Islamic Republic in the country.

The rallies on the national holiday of “Bahman 22nd” began at 9 am local time in more than 1,000 cities and towns as well as 10,000 villages across Iran. People from different walks of life have attended the processions with flags of Iran and banners in support of the Islamic Republic to mark the revolution’s ruby jubilee.

In capital Tehran, demonstrators marched across different routes to reach the Azadi (Liberty) Square, where President Hassan Rouhani gave an address.

Hundreds of foreign guests, including scientific, political, and influential figures have travelled to Iran for the event, which is also a great opportunity for reporters. Hundreds of cameramen and journalists cover the massive rallies in Tehran and other cities.

Speaking at the event, Rouhani told hundreds of thousands of demonstrators at Tehran’s iconic Azadi Square that their presence ruined all the plots the enemies had hatched over the past year to pressure the nation politically and economically.

“This presence makes it clear that the enemy will never succeed and the Revolution will continue on the same path as in the past 40 years,” the president said. “We will not let America succeed,” he added.

Rouhani reminisced about the nation’s resistance during the Iran-Iraq War, when former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, backed by the West and the Soviet Union, attacked Iran.

“Let the whole world know that today Iran enjoys higher levels of preparedness, combat and defense” and Iranian armed forces make 85 percent of their weapons and equipment as opposed to the Pahlavi era, when the figure stood at around 5 percent, Rouhani added.

The Iranian president made it clear that Tehran would not ask for permission to strengthen its defenses. He said Iran was not going to roll back its regional influence either.

“Over the past five years, Iran provided assistance to Iraqi, Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian and Yemeni nations when it saw fit and the world saw how the enemies failed” and now they are leaving the region, he said, referring to US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria and Afghanistan.

“Iran’s role in the region has reached a historical peak and no matter what other countries and superpowers say, Iran is the only country that can rush to help regional states,” he said. “If you want regional security, no plan will succeed without Iran, and the global arrogance, Americans and Zionists should know that this victory will be Iran’s.”

US officials have adopted an extremely hostile policy toward Iran under the Trump administration, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledging to “starve” Iranians until they give in to American demands.

Washington is calling for new negotiations which would include restraining Iran's missile program and its role in the Middle East as well as the country's support for anti-Israeli resistance movements, such as Hezbollah.

"The enemy cannot ask us to leave the region. They must leave the region," said Brigadier General Hossein Salami, deputy head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). "We will help any Muslim anywhere in the world."