Nationwide Vehicle Parades Mark Revolution Anniversary

Iranians across the country marched in their vehicles on Wednesday to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory. 
The annual procession was held on motorbikes and in cars this year in accordance with the instructions of the National Coronavirus Taskforce to prevent the spread of the disease among demonstrators.
President Hassan Rouhani appreciated people’s “exceptional but glorious” participation in this national celebration which showed the nation’s unity and alertness in this sensitive period of time. 
“You [the people of Iran] … proved that you never have and will make a deal over your independence, honor and glory,” he said in a message to the nation on the occasion. 
This year’s demonstrations were also special as the nation has experienced a victory in refusing to surrender to the United States’ pressure over the past few years.  
US ex-president Donald Trump imposed “maximum pressure” on Tehran after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement, with the aim of forcing Iran to renegotiate a more comprehensive deal. 
However, his administration went out empty-handed in January, handing the White House to Joe Biden who intends to shift Washington’s Iran policy. 
“This year, we are celebrating while our nation is … about to win a great economic war after three years of resistance,” Rouhani said.
Biden has said he would bring Washington back to the deal if Iran resumed strict compliance, but Iranian authorities maintain the sanctions must be fully revoked first. 
“Everyone has realized that the maximum pressure has failed, but to achieve final victory, we still need patience and resistance,” the president said.
The day before the anniversary, Rouhani addressed a group of foreign ambassadors in Tehran, saying the date is a happy occasion for Iranians because they achieved their independence, although the Islamic Republic was subject to two wars during its 42-year history.
“One war was imposed by [former Iraqi dictator] Saddam and the other by Trump, but we resisted both and proved victorious in both,” he said. 
He also pointed to the Coivd-19 pandemic which caused suffering to all nations over the past year, but more to Iran due to the cruel American sanctions. 
“All nations were free to use their own money for medicine and medical equipment, except Iran which could not access its resources due to illegal American sanctions,” he said, highlighting Iran’s domestic progress in the fight against the disease.