The occasion is usually commemorated by nationwide mass rallies, but this year, there has been a change in the ceremonies due to the deadly coronavirusoutbreak.
The celebrations began in the capital, Tehran, and other cities at 10:00 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Wednesday, with the participants driving their cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
Iranians celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution on iconic Azadi Square in Tehran, February 10, 2021. (Photo by Mehr)
The vehicles were decorated with slogans as well as the images of Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, and Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, the top Iranian anti-terror commander, who was assassinated by the US, last year.
More than 6,000 Iranian and some 200 foreign journalists, photographers and cameramen are covering the event.
During the processions in Tehran, ballistic missiles belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), namely Zolfaqar-e Basir, Qiam and Dezful, were also put on display at the iconic Azadi (freedom) Square, in a show of power.
In addition to the driving marches, a virtual rally also took place on Wednesday, with the Iranians taking to social media to renew their allegiance to the Islamic Republic.
The previous night, on the eve of the 42nd anniversary, a fireworks display was performed over Tehran and other Iranian cities.
‘Iranians will defeat US in economic war’
In a final communiqué, the demonstrators reminded the arrogant powers, especially the United States, of their grave miscalculations in dealing with the Iranian nation before and after its Islamic Revolution, reaffirming their firm determination to the deal the enemies another blow in the economic war they are currently waging against the Islamic Republic.
The demonstrators also said they will stand firm by their position on the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which the US abandoned in 2018, calling for the removal of all sanctions imposed by Washington on Iran following its exit from the agreement.
Tehran, they emphasized, will return to its commitments under the agreement only after a thorough verification of the other parties’ compliance with the deal, not only in words or on paper but in practice.