People took to the streets in large numbers across the country on Wednesday to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Rallies were held in the capital Tehran and other cities to commemorate the revolution that brought down the monarchical rule of the US-backed Pahlavi regime.
President Hassan Rouhani and other senior officials attended the rallies. Addressing a gathering of people at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) Square, Rouhani said, “Thirty six years ago our people demanded independence, freedom, and an Islamic republic and these ideals have remained unchanged up to now,” IRNA reported.
The president made a reference to the ongoing nuclear talks with the major powers and said his administration has managed to “break the deadlock” in the negotiations by adopting a new approach, adding that what Iran is pursuing is a “win-win agreement.”
“It means that Iran maintains transparency in its peaceful nuclear program within the framework of international law (and in return) the other party ends illegal and inhuman sanctions (against Iran); this will benefit both sides,” Rouhani noted.
Rouhani, elsewhere, dismissed claims that Iran has come to the negotiating table under pressure from sanctions and said such claims as mere “lies”.
“That you say Iran has come to the negotiating table because of sanctions is a lie. Iran has not come to the negotiating table due to the pressure of sanctions, (but has done so) based on reason and understanding to contribute to peace and stability of the region and the world.”
He also said the West has no option but to interact with the Islamic Republic, stressing that Iran is afraid of neither sanctions nor pressure.
The president added that Iran wants a nuclear deal that ensures the dignity and progress of the nation.
He also touched on the issue of terrorism in the Middle East and said peace will not be restored and terrorism will not be stamped out in the region without engaging Iran.
