Iran marks the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution as tensions grip the wider Middle East
Iran marked Sunday the 45th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution amid tensions gripping the wider Middle East over Israel's continued war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of Iranians marched through major streets and squares decorated with flags, balloons and banners with revolutionary and religious slogans.
In Tehran, crowds waved Iranian flags, chanted slogans, and carried placards with the traditional «Death to America» and «Death to Israel» written on them. Some burned US and Israeli flags, a common practice in pro-government rallies.
Processions started out from several points, converging at Azadi Square. State TV showed crowds in many cities and towns, claiming that «millions participated in the rallies» across the country.
The military displayed a range of its missiles, including the Qassem Soleimani and Sejjil ballistic missiles, and the Simorgh satellite carrier at the square where people took selfies with them.
During the celebrations, a paratrooper jumped from a plane while displaying a Palestinian flag.
There was a heavy security presence in the major cities across the country.
The anniversary came a month after a deadly attack by the extremist Islamic State group in the central city of Kerman that left at least 95 people dead during the commemoration for prominent Iranian general Qassem Soleimani whom the US killed in a 2020 drone strike.
Iran has tried to blame the US and Israel for the attack as the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip continued. The Islamic Republic launched missile
