Millions Rally Across Iran to Mark 47th Anniversary of Islamic Revolution

TEHRAN:  Millions of Iranians took part in massive nationwide rallies on Tuesday to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, demonstrating unity and loyalty to the ideals of the late Imam Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the overthrow of the US-backed monarchy in 1979.

Large crowds gathered in Tehran and across more than 1,400 cities and towns, braving cold weather, rain, and snow to participate in the commemorations. In the capital, marchers assembled from 9:30 a.m. local time and headed toward Azadi Square, where President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the gathering.

Participants chanted slogans condemning decades of US actions against Iran and denouncing Israeli policies while carrying portraits of those killed in past conflicts, including the eight-year Iran-Iraq War; a recent 12-day conflict involving the United States and Israel; and recent unrest inside the country.

The rallies were covered by around 7,200 domestic journalists and nearly 200 foreign media representatives. Iranian officials said the media coverage aimed to document public participation and counter Western narratives that downplay the scale of such events.

On Tuesday night, people across the country chanted “Allahu Akbar” at 9:00 p.m. to mark the victory of the Islamic Revolution, with spontaneous gatherings taking place in major cities, particularly in Tehran.

Earlier this week, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on the Iranian people to demonstrate unity and resilience during the anniversary, saying national solidarity would frustrate the country’s adversaries.

The rallies came after protests and unrest on January 8 and 9 that initially began over economic grievances but escalated into violence and destruction of public and private property. Iranian authorities accused foreign actors of involvement in the unrest and reported casualties among civilians and security forces.

During the marches, damaged vehicles from the recent unrest were displayed, and participants carried copies of the Holy Qur’an while chanting slogans condemning insults to Islamic values. Military hardware, including cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as wreckage of drones, was also exhibited in Azadi Square.

In a statement issued during the rallies, participants said the large turnout reflected Iran’s national unity, political awareness, and determination to resist external pressure. The resolution called for social solidarity and warned against internal divisions, describing unity between the people and the Islamic system as the country’s key strength.

The annual rallies commemorate the fall of the Pahlavi monarchy, which collapsed in February 1979 after mass protests and the return of Imam Khomeini from exile. The revolution was finalized on February 11, 1979, when the military withdrew support from the shah and sided with the revolutionary movement.