Iran Commemorates 47 Years Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution

Iran’s government organized a rally on Wednesday to mark the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This comes after significant protests last month that challenged the regime’s authority, which may have prompted the government’s attempt to display its strength.

Controversy arose when UN Secretary-General António Guterres reportedly sent a letter to Iran’s president, congratulating him on a revolution that led to what many view as a repressive regime in Tehran.

As reported by Russian state news outlet TASS, the Tehran event featured speeches from President Masoud Pezeshkian and other officials. Demonstrators, expressing strong anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiments, gathered in large numbers.

“For 47 years, the West has attempted to undermine Iran, but the resilience of its people ensures that will never happen!” one demonstrator told TASS, a sentiment echoed by many in the crowd.

Many protesters showcased banners featuring caricatures of notable figures including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as former Iranian leader Shah Reza Pahlavi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to TASS.

Reza Pahlavi, now 65, is gaining more support as some Iranians—both domestically and abroad—consider him a fitting leader for a post-theocracy Iran following last month’s protests.

Notably, expressions of nostalgia for the Shah’s reign have become common among dissidents as a way to signal their opposition to the current Islamist government, while the regime actively encourages its supporters to reject the Pahlavi legacy.

According to the Associated Press, celebrations included fireworks and chants of “Death to America!” with reports of many residents in Tehran shouting “Death to the dictator!”—specifically referencing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—from their windows.

During the rally, President Pezeshkian addressed the attendees, insisting that the turnout demonstrated the resilience of his government against recent uprisings.

“The world must recognize that the Iranian people are committed to protecting the revolution and following the regime’s leadership,” he stated, conveniently neglecting to mention the lives lost during last month’s protests that he called “defense of the revolution.”

Pezeshkian continued with the narrative that foreign powers were entirely to blame for the unrest, claiming the U.S. and Europe had previously tried to weaken Iran through war and support for its enemies, but failed due to the bravery of the Iranian youth.

In his speech, he acknowledged the regime’s so-called “martyrs,” such as Mohammad Bagheri and Qasem Soleimani, who were involved in various military conflicts. Interestingly, despite the defiant tone, he also expressed regret over poor policies that led to economic woes and unrest in Iran, while asserting the country’s willingness to engage in diplomatic talks over its nuclear program.

The letter from Guterres reportedly caused quite a stir when it was said to “bless” Iran for its tumultuous revolution, according to Iranian state media, which may not be completely reliable.

Iran’s IRNA claimed that Guterres sent a congratulatory letter to Pezeshkian and, although he avoided criticizing the violent suppression of protests last month, he called for increased cooperation globally.

In response, the monitoring group UN Watch requested that Guterres disclose the full, unedited text of his letter, arguing that transparency is essential.

UN Watch also urged Guterres to retract an invitation for Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to speak at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session on February 23. Should Guterres refuse, they threatened to petition Swiss authorities to arrest Araghchi for crimes against humanity upon his arrival in Geneva.

“It is unacceptable for the UN Human Rights Council to provide a platform to a key figure implicated in mass murder and repression,” stated Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch.

He also criticized Guterres for congratulating a regime associated with decades of atrocities, calling it a glaring contradiction. Neuer emphasized the need to disclose the full contents of the Secretary-General’s message to ensure clarity about the UN’s stance on a regime known for severe human rights violations.

“The UN was founded to prevent terror, not to glorify perpetrators,” he said.