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Iran's President Raisi
Photo: Wana News Agency / REUTERS
Political anniversary: In Iran, tens of thousands of government supporters celebrated the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Images on state television showed crowds of people on the streets of the capital Tehran on Sunday. Security forces and clergy also took part in the nationwide parades. A sea of flags filled the streets of the state-organized celebrations in Tehran, while balloons rose from the Asadi Tower at Freedom Square, and Iranian-made drones and missiles were also on display.
President Ebrahim Raisi called on countries in the region to cut off economic ties with Iran's arch-enemy Israel. "The Zionist regime is doomed," Raisi said in front of thousands of supporters. He also called for Israel to be excluded from the United Nations. The Jewish state had violated "400 declarations, resolutions and agreements" that had been concluded within the framework of "international organizations," he said. The crowd shouted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” as usual at state-organized meetings.
Raisi denounces sanctions against Iran
Raisi also said that the aim of the enemies of the Islamic Republic is to spread hopelessness among the population - probably a reference to the harsh sanctions against Iran and the numerous economic problems in the country.
In February 1979, an uprising by then revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini led to the collapse of the Shah's monarchy. In recent years, the Iranian leadership's relationship with the West has deteriorated dramatically. The reasons for this are Tehran's controversial nuclear program, human rights violations and Iran's support for militant groups in the Middle East. The majority of Iranians are indifferent to Sunday's celebrations.
dop/dpa/AFP