Millions in Iran stage anti-U.S. rally
Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Tehran
Braving the cold, around two million people marched to several cities across Iran on Thursday, to show their support for the government against the United States over the latter's repeated threats to attack the country.
They celebrated the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the secular monarchy of Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlevi and subsequently established the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians from 22 districts flocked to Azadi (freedom) Square in the Iran capital of Tehran for the 26th anniversary celebration, despite heavy snowfall all day, while chanting slogans against the United States and its allies.
Ralliers from different directions started flooding the Mohammad Ali Jenah highway at 7 a.m. and walked up to 15 kilometers toward Azadi Square, which has been the site of huge demonstrations on various occasions over the past 26 years.
The marchers, including women and children, had to stand in the open amid snowfall for hours, waiting for President Mohammad Khatami to deliver his anniversary speech at around 12 noon.
They held up banners and posters in support of their government and in opposition to America, while chanting "Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest)". The Iranians also carried pictures of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini who led the Islamic Revolution, and Iran's current Supreme Leader Ali Khameini, his successor.
Almost all shops and other businesses across Tehran were closed during the national holiday to mark the triumph of the revolution, with main roads located far from Azadi Square deserted.
A number of demonstrators told The Jakarta Post that they joined the anniversary rally to show their support for the Khatami government in resisting the intensifying pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear energy development.
The Bush administration has accused Iran of concealing its nuclear weapons program while developing its nuclear power plants. Washington has repeated threats that it will attack Iran, unless the Islamic country "lives up to international obligations" by ceasing its nuclear activities.
On his arrival for Thursday's annual rally, Khatami walked around one kilometer to the square before addressing the emotional crowd that gathered in the square, where the weather was around two degrees Celsius below zero.
Khatami warned the U.S. that Iran would unleash hell if the superpower went ahead with its threats to launch an attack on his sovereign country.
Khatami branded the U.S. threats as part of a "psychological warfare" being waged on Iran in accordance with the "expansionist policies of the American conservatives".
A resolution issued by the demonstrators urged the Iranian government and people to join forces against "the continuance of hegemonic policies by the Zionist lobbies governing America with the attempt to change the geopolitics of the Islamic world".
Khomeini led the Shiite opposition against Shah Reza Pahlevi to launch the Islamic Revolution, which led to the latter's removal from power on Feb. 10, 1979. Earlier on Jan. 16 in the same year, Shah Reza left Iran. His prime minister, Shapour Bakhtiar, also failed to control the chaotic situation despite help from the Supreme Army Council.
Khomeini returned to Iran on Feb. 1, 1979 from self-exile from Paris, France. Ten days later, Bakhtiar went into hiding, eventually to find exile in Paris. The opposition against the Shah regime heightened and ended in violence, with hundreds of people executed.
On April 1, 1979, Khomeini became the supreme spiritual leader of Iran after declaring it an Islamic republic with a new constitution reflecting his ideals and Islamic government.