Massive rallies held across Iran to mark anniversary of Islamic Revolution victory

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The annual nationwide February 11th rallies marking the 41st anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution were staged in the capital city of Tehran and other cities across the country on Tuesday morning.

Millions of Iranians from all walks of life were out in the streets and squares all over the country to express their support for the cause, aspirations and ideals of the Islamic Revolution.

In Tehran, hundreds of thousands converged at Azadi Square, the capital's main square and the site of major national rallies over the past four decades.

In addition to the annual theme of renewing support for the revolution and Islamic establishment, this year rallies are important after the propaganda launched by the western media against Iran over the recent economic unrests in the country. This year ralliers shouted protest at the US and its allies for both their pressures and cruel sanctions imposed against the country as well as its so-called 'Deal of the Century' on the Palestinian issue.

Yet, what has made this year's rallies even more important is the call by the high-ranking Iranian officials on people to give a crushing response to the recent threats of US President Donald Trump by staging massive rallies even larger than ever.

Meantime, the ralliers in Tehran hung effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a show of hatred for them.

The demonstrators chanted "Death to America", "Death to Israel", "Death to Britain", and a number of other slogans in support of the Supreme Leader, and the Islamic establishment. They also carried mock "coffins of the American soldiers" to emphasize the Iranian leaders and commanders' warning to the US to withdraw its forces from the region.

Yet, more striking than anything else were banners and posters of martyred Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Qods Force Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated by the US last month. The ralliers vowed to take a "harsh revenge" for his martyrdom.

More than 6,000 reporters, photographers and journalists, including 300 foreigners, are in Iran to cover the nationwide rallies.

Deputy Head of Islamic Development Coordinating Council Nosratollah Lotfi said in a Sunday presser that more than 6,000 photographers, cameramen, and journalists would cover the event across the country noting that half of these, including 300 foreign reporters, will cover rallies in Tehran.

He went on to say that celebrations for the Islamic Revolution anniversary would be held in 5,200 places across the country in addition to Iranian consulates across the world.

Millions of Iranians hold nationwide rallies every year on February 11 to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which marks the overthrow of the US-backed Pahlavi dynasty.

The ceremonies are attended by high-ranking officials and thousands of people from all walks of life across the country.

Led by the Founder of the Revolution, Imam Khomeini, Iranians confronted the forces of US-proxy Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi in late 1977 to end his oppressive, cruel and autocratic rule over the country.

By December 1978, millions of Iranians would take to the streets in protest against the policies of the Shah on a regular basis.

Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile to Iran to be received by millions of cheering crowds after the departure of the Shah in mid-January 1979. Two weeks later, the country saw the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

The final collapse of the Shah's regime came on February 11 when the military renounced its loyalty to the Shah and joined the revolutionary forces.

On this day 41 years ago, people took to the streets to celebrate the collapse of the Pahlavi Dynasty and the emergence of the new era.

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