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On February 11th, Iranians took to the streets in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
I bow in admiration to Iran's resilient people who— despite hardships & grievances— today poured into streets by the millions to mark 40th anniv of their Islamic Revolution, which some in the US wished would never come. US should take note: REAL Iranians never succumb to diktats. pic.twitter.com/GqcFKOb6DL
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) February 11, 2019
Crowds gathered as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani gave his address to the nation at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) Square.
“In a message of appreciation for the epic and significant attendance of the great nation of Iran in the great celebration of the 40th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the President stated, “This significant and informed presence doubled the duty of the authorities of the country, including the government, to pursue efforts to serve the people and the country.”
“The presence of people today on the streets all over Islamic Iran … means that the enemy will never reach its evil objectives,” Rouhani said, adding that the country will continue to pursue its missile programme to defend the country from external threats.
“We have not asked, and will never ask for permission in developing our missile arsenal as we continue to pursue our path to military might.”
During the festivities, many of the demonstrators chanted “Death to America”, “Death to Israel” and “Death to the al-Saud” family of Saudi Arabia.
Iranian State News Agency, IRNA, spent the entire day reporting on various countries that celebrated with Iran.
Those included Russia:
Anniversary of #IslamicRevolution commemorated in Moscow https://t.co/WO4nVizjcp pic.twitter.com/mk6SBjs9si
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) February 11, 2019
Lebanon, which said it will not partake in the upcoming Warsaw Conference, organized by the US and Poland and aimed against Iran.
Lebanon says will not participate in Warsaw Conference https://t.co/ep1w2OyH0n pic.twitter.com/oRcZ1o07nU
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) February 11, 2019
The Warsaw Summit was called “worthless” by Iran’s Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Major-General Mohammad-Hossein Baqeri.
Pakistan also observed the 40th anniversary:
40th anniversary of #IslamicRevolution of #Iran observed in Pakistan https://t.co/K6n9qscdBB pic.twitter.com/XQTnuXbzrB
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) February 11, 2019
Spain also described Iran as “an important regional power”:
Spain describes #Iran as important regional power https://t.co/1sB94b75Jr pic.twitter.com/S6YgGZvQXn
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) February 12, 2019
An Iraqi official also said that Basra would never follow anti-Irani sanctions:
Basra will never follow anti-#Iran sanctions: Iraqi official https://t.co/UtTMIpC3of pic.twitter.com/pY77D7AGT1
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) February 12, 2019
As expected, the Trump administration used the occasion to attack Iran’s government and progress.
US President Donald Trump and US National Security Adviser John Bolton both strongly attacked the 40th anniversary, saying they have been nothing else than 40 years of failure.
After 40 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has failed to fulfill its promises to uphold and safeguard the rights of its citizens. The 40th anniversary of the Iranian regime only serves to highlight four decades of failure and broken promises.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 11, 2019
It’s been 40 yrs of failure. Now it’s up to the Iranian regime to change its behavior, & ultimately up to the Iranian people to determine the direction of their country. The U.S. will support the will of the Iranian people, & stand behind them to ensure their voices are heard.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 11, 2019
Bolton also posted a video, addressed to the Iranian Ayatollah, saying he is to blame for “terrorizing your own people.”
A message to the Ayatollah of Iran: "For all your boasts, for all your threats to the life of the American President, YOU are responsible for terrorizing your own people." #40YearsofFailure pic.twitter.com/gpCL1FeLis
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 11, 2019
The POTUS posted a banner, with the caption “40 years of corruption. 40 years of repression. 40 years of terror. The regime in Iran has produced only #40YearsofFailure. The long-suffering Iranian people deserve a much brighter future,” which was also translated in Arabic.
۴۰ سال فساد. ۴۰ سال سرکوب. ۴۰ سال ترور. رژیم ایران فقط موجب #چهل_سال_شکست شده است. مردم ایران که مدتهاست در رنجند شایسته آینده روشن تری هستند pic.twitter.com/nKMQCHQFCZ
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2019
In answer, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had the following response:
#40YearsofFailure to accept that Iranians will never return to submission. #40YearsofFailure to adjust US policy to reality. #40YearsofFailure to destabilize Iran through blood & treasure.
After 40 yrs of wrong choices, time for @realDonaldTrump to rethink failed US policy.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) February 11, 2019
Sharmine Narwani also reminded that John Bolton’s vows did not turn into reality:
On the 40th anniversary of the #IslamicRevolution, I can't help but recall @AmbJohnBolton's promise to MEK terrorists: "before 2019 we here will celebrate in Tehran,” and "Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1979 revolution will not last until its 40th birthday.” Quit your job, Bolton.
— Sharmine Narwani (@snarwani) February 11, 2019
