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Tens of thousands take to the streets of Iran to mark anniversary of 1979 Islamic Revolution

TENS of thousands of Iranians took to the streets today to mark the anniversary of the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iranian state television aired commemorations at sites across the country.

The annual remembrance of the end of the rule of the United States-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the creation of Iran’s Shiite theocracy comes this year as deep uncertainty lingers across the country.

Iran faces crushing sanctions wrecking its economy and the threat of more coming from Trump, even as the US president suggests he wants to reach a deal with Tehran over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday criticised proposed talks with the United States and described negotiations with the US as “not intelligent, wise or honourable.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also suggested that “there should be no negotiations with such a government,” though stopped short of issuing a direct order not to engage with Washington.

In Tehran, people carried flags, balloons and banners as they marched toward Azadi, or Freedom Square, in the Iranian capital.

Alongside anti-American and anti-Israeli banners with slogans like “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” demonstrators also carried images of Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters.

“I know there are a lot of economic problems in the country, but I am here to say we will support our country regardless of threats by President Trump and Israelis,” said Mohsen Amini, a teacher.

Hamideh Zamani, a home-maker, said: “We will resist any threat by the West without any fear. 

“We learned this from our fathers to devote ourselves to the cause of the Islamic Republic.”

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