Iran marks revolution anniversary amid protests and nuclear talks

17:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Iran marks revolution anniversary amid protests and nuclear talks

Iran commemorated the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on Wednesday with state-organized rallies and displays of military hardware, even as the country grapples with widespread unrest and mounting international pressure over its crackdown on protesters and its nuclear program.

State television broadcast images of vast crowds filling major streets in support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Demonstrators waved Iranian flags, burned American flags and chanted slogans condemning the United States. Officials portrayed the turnout as evidence of enduring loyalty to the Islamic Republic.

Yet the official celebrations unfolded against a sharply different backdrop. On the eve of the anniversary, government-sponsored fireworks lit up the sky over Tehran. At the same time, witnesses reported hearing chants of “Death to the dictator” echoing from rooftops and residential neighborhoods across the capital, reflecting simmering anger that has spread far beyond the initial protest hubs.

Speaking at Azadi Square in Tehran, President Massoud Pezeshkian acknowledged what he described as “immense sorrow” caused by the recent violence. While he stopped short of directly blaming the security forces, he said the government felt a sense of shame and bore responsibility to assist those harmed in the unrest. “We are ashamed before the people, and we are obliged to help all those who were wronged in these incidents,” he told the crowd. “We do not seek confrontation with the people.”

Pezeshkian also addressed the revival of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States. He reiterated that Iran is not seeking to build nuclear weapons and said the country is prepared to accept verification measures. His remarks come after talks between Washington and Tehran resumed last week in Oman, though prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.

The protests that have overshadowed this year’s anniversary began on December 28, 2025, when merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar launched a strike amid a deepening economic crisis. The Iranian rial has fallen to historic lows, eroding purchasing power and intensifying public frustration. What started as a commercial strike quickly expanded into nationwide demonstrations, with some protesters calling for the end of the Islamic Republic.

Human rights activists and advocacy groups say the authorities responded with force. According to reports from rights organizations, thousands of people were killed after security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, opened fire on demonstrators during an internet blackout in early January. Tens of thousands more have reportedly been detained. The government has not released comprehensive official casualty figures.

The unrest has drawn sharp reactions abroad. US President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Tehran, warning that failure in the nuclear talks could lead to military action. In an interview with Axios on Tuesday, Trump said he was considering deploying a second carrier strike group to the Middle East. He indicated that Washington would either reach an agreement or take decisive steps, referencing US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day Iran-Israel conflict in June 2025.

Diplomatic activity has intensified alongside the tensions. Senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani traveled to Qatar after visiting Oman, where he met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss regional de-escalation efforts. Shortly before Larijani’s arrival, Trump held a phone call with the Qatari emir focused on what US officials described as international efforts to reduce tensions.

As Iran marks another year since the revolution that reshaped its political system, the country faces a volatile mix of domestic unrest, economic strain and high-stakes diplomacy. The anniversary celebrations, designed to project unity and strength, instead highlighted the deep divisions and external pressures confronting the Islamic Republic at a pivotal moment.