Iran commemorated the 42nd anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on February 11, 2021, with large-scale state-organized rallies across the country. Images broadcast on state television showed processions in Tehran and other provinces, where participants waved the flag of the Islamic Republic.
The annual event typically draws hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people nationwide. This year, however, the celebrations were overshadowed by heightened tensions with the United States and a deepening economic crisis.
Security measures were reportedly heightened around the capital, with the military displaying ballistic missiles in the city center. Demonstrators burned American flags, and for the first time, some government supporters directed their anger towards tech billionaire Elon Musk, alongside US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The 1979 revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy. The same year, Iranian students seized the US embassy in Tehran, leading to the severing of diplomatic ties. Since then, Iran has experienced repeated military tensions with the US and Israel, most recently in 2020. A significant portion of the Iranian population remains indifferent to the anniversary celebrations.
Iran is grappling with a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by stringent Western sanctions imposed over its controversial nuclear program. While US President Donald Trump recently signaled a willingness to engage in talks with Tehran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who holds the final say on strategic matters, initially rejected negotiations. The Iranian currency has plummeted to a new record low.
The Iranian government expressed skepticism about potential negotiations with the US. President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate conservative who campaigned on improving relations with the West, criticized Trump, stating, "They (the US) claim that Iran has destabilized the region, but in reality, it is Israel that is bombing the region." Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi asserted that Iran would not be pressured into negotiations.