Millions of Iranians rally to mark Islamic Revolution victory
Millions of Iranians have staged mass rallies across the country to mark the 34th anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that put an end to the monarchy of the US-backed Pahlavi regime in the country.
People in Tehran and many other cities and towns started to take to streets on Sunday morning to reaffirm their allegiance to the ideals of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Addressing a huge crowd in Tehran's Azadi Square, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the negotiations about Iran's nuclear energy program “should be based on mutual respect.”
“Iran has become nuclear today, and our enemies are not happy with that. Using this excuse, they do not want to let Iran progress, so they have imposed all kinds of pressure on us. They have reason to change their tone and say they want to negotiate and solve the problem. Changing tone is necessary but not enough. If you put aside the gun you have drawn on the Iranian nation, I will negotiate with you personally. Negotiations should be based on mutual respect,” Ahmadinejad said.
Some of the demonstrators told Press TV about their viewpoints regarding the event, and the country’s issues.
“We should not mix the problems we have in our society with the revolution. We have to support our Islamic Revolution forever,” one of the demonstrators said.
“I am an Iranian national, but resident of another country. I am happy to see this wave of people. I have come to see it for myself. Foreign media makes me confused. I am happy to take part in this glorious event,” a senior demonstrator said.
“We have come here to prove to the world that we will always support our revolution. We will become stronger with every sanction they impose on us. We will always back our leader,” another demonstrator said.
Special ceremonies were held at home and abroad on January 31, the day that coincides with the one Ayatollah Khomeini returned to the Iranian capital on February 1, 1979 after a 15-year-long exile in Paris.
The day of Imam Khomeini's return to Iran marks the beginning of celebrations, dubbed Ten Days of Dawn, which culminate in the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution on February 10.
The Iranian nation toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime 34 years ago, ending 2,500 years of monarchic rule in the country.
The Islamic Revolution, under the guidance of Imam Khomeini, established a new political system based on Islamic values and democracy.
Source: presstv.com
