Iranians rallied in Tehran on Tuesday to mark Islamic Republic Day, commemorating the establishment of the Islamic Republic system in the country and showing their solidarity amid U.S.-Israeli attacks.
In 1979, the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah regime. Then, in a referendum on March 30 and 31, over 98.2 percent of Iranians voted "yes" to an Islamic Republic system.
Khomeini declared the founding of the Islamic Republic of Iran on April 1, 1979. Since then, Iranians annually celebrate April 1 as the anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, referred to as Islamic Republic Day.
In Tehran on Tuesday, crowds waved Iranian flags and chanted slogans against the United States and Israel, expressing national resolve to resist their aggression.
Large-scale demonstrations across Iran have continued in support of the government since the conflict began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians.
"Forty-seven years ago, we voted in favor of the Islamic Republic. Today, given the threats, our presence is even more necessary. For my country, for the flag, following the instructions of our leader, and for all the martyrs and the blood that have been shed -- we had to be here," said a demonstrator.
"Why should we be afraid? I'm not afraid at all. Our lives don't matter to us. For our land and our country, we give everything and show up at full strength on days like this," said another.
In response to the strikes, Iran has launched over 80 waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. military facilities across the Middle East, including those in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Iranians mark Islamic Republic Day in Tehran
Iranians mark Islamic Republic Day in Tehran
