Crowds chant ‘Death to America, death to Israel’ as hundreds of thousands of Iranians mark the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution
- Rallies were held across Iran to observe anniversary of the fall of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979
- Crowds used the trademark revolution chants ‘Death to America, Death to Israel’ as they gathered in Tehran
- Iran’s army declared neutrality on 11 February, 1979 and paved the way to the US-backed monarch’s collapse
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Crowds chanted ‘Death to America, death to Israel’ as hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered at rallies to mark the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
Ceremonies were held across Iran today to observe the anniversary of the fall of the Shah and the triumph of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Shiite cleric who led the coup.
Iran’s army declared its neutrality on February 11, 1979 which paved the way for the collapse of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi – and ousted the United States’ most important ally in the Middle East.
Large crowds were seen carrying Iranian flags and chanting ‘Death to Israel, Death to America’ – trademark chants of the revolution – on Azadi Square in Tehran today.
Rallies were held across the state to observe the anniversary of the fall of the Shah and the triumph of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Shiite cleric who led the revolution (Pictured, Iranians burn US flags in Tehran)
Men gather to burn American flags during a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution – which ousted the United States’ most important ally in the Middle East
Large crowds were seen carrying Iranian flags and chanting ‘Death to Israel, Death to America’ – trademark chants of the revolution
One banner, held by a group of Iranians in Tehran’s Azadi Square, read ‘USA overshadowed by Islamic Republic of Iran heavily for last 40 years and soon will collapse’
Iranians were also pictured burning numerous American flags as they celebrated the landmark anniversary in the country’s capital.
One banner read: ‘Much to the dismay of America, the revolution has reached its 40th year.’
In a speech given at Azadi Square, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran was determined to expand its military power and ballistic missile program despite mounting pressure to curb its defensive work.
‘We have not asked and will not ask for permission to develop different types of … missiles and will continue our path and our military power,’ Rouhani said.
The large turnout at these state-sponsored rallies comes as Iranians faces rising prices and food shortages which have triggered waves of protests.
Soldiers, students, clerics and women holding small children flocked to the streets of Tehran, many carrying portraits of Khomeini and Iran’s current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Many held umbrellas as they sheltered from the rain during a rally to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution
An Iranian holds up a poster showing a portrait of the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei with a small portrait in the corner showing Islamic Revolution founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
In a speech at Tehran’s Azadi Square, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran was determined to expand its military power
‘We have not asked and will not ask for permission to develop different types of missiles and will continue our path and our military power,’ President Hassan Rouhani said
US President Donald Trump pulled out of Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers last year and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran – dealing a blow to the country’s economy.
Iranian officials said the move amounted to ‘economic warfare’.
Soldiers, students, clerics and women holding small children flocked to the streets of cities and towns, many carrying portraits of Khomeini and Iran’s current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Regional power Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries have viewed Iran with great suspicion since the Islamic Revolution swept the Shah from power, fearing Khomeini would inspire Islamic militants across the region.
The large turnout at these state-sponsored rallies comes as Iranians faces rising prices and food shortages which have triggered waves of protests (Pictured, crowds at the Azadi Square in Tehran)