On February 11, Iranians celebrated the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. The popular uprising, led by the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, led to the ouster of Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi and ended centuries of dynastic rule. Each year, Iranians hold mass rallies across the country and the president addresses the nation.
President Hassan Rouhani told a crowd that Iran foiled U.S. and Israeli plans for the region. “They wanted to create tension in the region … they wanted to divide Iraq, Syria … but with our help their policies failed,” he said. "Americans wanted to interfere in the internal affairs of our country, but our people rejected them,” he added, likely a reference to U.S. officials who issued messages in support of Iranian protestors in January. Rouhani asked all of Iran’s citizens -- regardless of their political views, religion or ethnicity – to cooperate in the coming year.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for a "year of unity" as Iran marks the 39th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
— dwnews (@dwnews) February 11, 2018
The celebrations come just weeks after protests calling for changes in government policy https://t.co/qPAugsQpxb pic.twitter.com/LROjAttDiW
Hundreds of thousands took to Tehran’s streets and Azadi Square. The atmosphere was reportedly relaxed and “carnival-like.” Street vendors sold toys and treats. As in previous years, however, some demonstrators burned American and Israeli flags. Images of President Donald Trump were also set ablaze. A Ghadr ballistic missile was put on display, as if to send a message to the West that Iran will not compromise on its defensive capabilities. The United States has raised sanctioned Iranian companies and individuals for supporting the country’s ballistic missile program. The following are pictures from the rallies inside and outside of Tehran.
Millions of Iranians Mark 39th Anniversary of 1979 Revolution https://t.co/FMWXDqIMAt#Iran pic.twitter.com/OmQyjCXKpF
— Iran Front Page (@IranFrontPage) February 11, 2018
#UPDATE "Our revolution was victorious when we were all together," said President Hassan Rouhani as Iran celebrated 39 years since the Islamic revolution https://t.co/MFGzBNbOYg pic.twitter.com/SqA7xF2kHW
— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 11, 2018
Millions of #Iranians all across the country came to streets to celebrate the #39th #anniversary of the #Islamic #Revolution victory on #Sunday. #IslamicRepublicofIran #Iran #ایران pic.twitter.com/hXrjI2Ev2U
— Iran Military (@Iran_Military) February 12, 2018
Millions of Iranians are taking to the streets nationwide today to mark the 39th anniversary of the #IslamicRevolution in 1979. #Bahman22 #Iran pic.twitter.com/Q6QnnAyLL4
— Iran (@Iran) February 11, 2018
Millions of #Iranians have taken to the streets nationwide to mark the 39th anniversary of the #Islamic #Revolution in a show of force.#Iran #Islamic_Revolution #IslamicRepublicofIran #Fajr #تهران #انقلاب #فجر #فجر96 pic.twitter.com/f2czquv5lj
— Iran Military (@Iran_Military) February 12, 2018
#Photos: Millions of Iranians mark 39th anniversary of 1979 Revolution#Iran #IslamicRevolution #Bahman22 https://t.co/mgmcJp3y3u pic.twitter.com/uzrrC0CL4B
— Iran (@Iran) February 11, 2018
Presence of different generations supporting the islamic revolution in the #Bahman22 parade
— IranTalks (@IranTalks) February 11, 2018
Today, #Tehran #Iran pic.twitter.com/ntyIaj7OL8
Breathtaking #selfie moment during the #Bahman22 parade 2018 in #Tehran #Iran pic.twitter.com/chyFzO5icL
— IranTalks (@IranTalks) February 11, 2018
The mad rush to get a free balloon! 39 yrs of Islamic Revolution celebrated today #Iran pic.twitter.com/52AbwQyuj8
— Potkin Azarmehr (@potkazar) February 11, 2018
A cardboard cutout of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ elite Qods Force, was on hand for photographs in Tehran. During the last few years, Soleimani has become a popular figure among Iranians for his leading role in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Taking selfie with #IRGC Qasem Soleimani in #Iran's revolution anniversary rallies. pic.twitter.com/RQGWyirRyr
— raz zimmt (@RZimmt) February 11, 2018
Soleimani attended a rally in Kermanshah.
#Photo General #Soleimani among people of Kermanshah in #Bahman22 rally pic.twitter.com/mhKI6BAf4A
— Iran (@Iran) February 11, 2018
Taxi displaying the missile might and power of the Islamic Republic - anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in #Iran pic.twitter.com/P7KEdZ5flh
— Potkin Azarmehr (@potkazar) February 11, 2018
The future belongs to our vigilant and insightful nation.#Bahman22 pic.twitter.com/aiq66yaS8t
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 11, 2018
Iran Displays Long-Range Ballistic Missile in February 11 Rallies in Tehranhttps://t.co/ek2jQwVdud pic.twitter.com/rAxuRwl15w
— Fars News Agency (@EnglishFars) February 11, 2018
The strangest attendees of the pro-regime rallies today, to mark the 39th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in #Iran pic.twitter.com/JNF40DQSPA
— Potkin Azarmehr (@potkazar) February 11, 2018
#Photos: Iranian officials participate in Islamic Revolution rally #Iran #IslamicRevolution #Bahman22 https://t.co/g7IojPFIlc pic.twitter.com/DQ8HyhPikb
— Iran (@Iran) February 11, 2018
#Photo #Iran FM @JZarif in #Bahman22 rally pic.twitter.com/LqzM45sOur
— Iran (@Iran) February 11, 2018
People from all walks of life rally in different cities and towns across Iran each year to celebrate the nation’s victory that put an end to the monarchical rule of the US-backed Pahlavi regime. #Bahman22 #Iran pic.twitter.com/xZvJILniuy
— Iran (@Iran) February 11, 2018
Western Media Seeking to Overshadow Huge Rallies in Iran with January Riotshttps://t.co/MXxdsNmbSn pic.twitter.com/4t88qSCiot
— Fars News Agency (@EnglishFars) February 11, 2018
President Hassan Rouhani also walked with the crowd.