Iran celebrates 44th anniversary of Islamic Revolution

Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets across the country to celebrate the 44th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that toppled the Pahlavi regime in 1979.

The rallies in the capital Tehran began at 9:30 a.m. local time, with demonstrators from various social strata and different parts of the city marching toward the iconic Azadi Square.

Delivering a speech at the Azadi Square, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi lauded the 22nd of Bahman as the day of the triumph of “truth over falsity,” the day of the victory of “the oppressed over the arrogant,” and the realisation of the “miracle of the century.”

Raeisi said the epic day put an end to tyranny and dependence and marked the beginning of independence, freedom and the Islamic Republic, adding that the day brought about the crystallisation of the will of the great nation of Iran.

Stressing that both the establishment and the continuation of the Pahlavi regime was against the nation’s will and accompanied with a coup d'état, the Iranian president said, “They committed crimes and treason during their rule, and they were unconcerned about Iranian people’s great capacities, and only cared for the pleasure of the global hegemony and the United States."

On the eve of the 44th anniversary, fireworks displays were performed in Tehran and other cities.