TEHRAN: Iran marked 45 years since its Islamic revolution with a ceremony on Sunday in which President Ebrahim Raisi condemned Israel’s arch-enemy for the Gaza attack and called for its expulsion from the United Nations, AFP reported.
Since the 1979 Iranian revolution that toppled US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the region’s major power has had deeply hostile relations with Israel, the United States and Britain.
Tensions have continued to escalate since the bloodiest riots to date broke out in Gaza on October 7.
Support for the Palestinian cause and sharp criticism of the United States — often dubbed the “Great Satan” in Iran — and Israel dominated the anniversary ceremonies.
In Tehran, Raisi accused the “Zionist entity,” the Iranian term for Israel, of committing “genocide” in Gaza with the support of the United States and other Western countries.
Ballistic missiles and satellite launchers on display for the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution
Supporters chanted “Down with the United States,” “Down with Israel” and “Down with the United Kingdom” in the square, where Iranian-made missiles and other military equipment were displayed.
Addressing thousands of people in Azadi Square in western Tehran, Raisi demanded that “the bombing of Gaza be stopped as soon as possible” and declared that “the death of the Zionist regime has come.”
He asked about Israel: “How can a regime that has violated 400 declarations and resolutions of international organizations abide by UN covenants? “We believe that one of the important steps that should be taken is the expulsion of the Zionist regime from the United Nations.”
Iran presented itself as one of the main backers of Hamas and hailed the October 7 Hamas airstrike as a “success”, but denied any direct involvement.
Crowds in Azadi Square held portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and popular General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike in January 2020.
Iran has been under crippling US sanctions since Washington withdrew in 2018 from a landmark deal that gave it sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
The United States has accused Tehran of “actively facilitating” attacks on US forces in the Middle East and supporting attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, charges Iran has denied.
Iranian-made Qiam ballistic missiles, Shahed 136 drones and Simorgh satellite launchers could be seen around Azadi Square.
