TEHRAN, Iran
Iran marked the 36th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on Wednesday with mass rallies and the chanting of slogans against the United States, Israel and other Western powers.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani used the rallies to criticize opponents of talks with the West on Iran's nuclear program, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
He said Iranians and the country's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, support the negotiations and diplomatic approach Iran has taken.
"We defended our independence in the war and now we are doing the same at the negotiating table," said Rouhani. "Today, only the enemies of this nation are against negotiations. The Zionists are doing their best but the world is aware of their treason."
"Just as 36 years ago, again we chant 'Independence, Freedom and Islamic Republic' to ensure that our revolution belongs only to all the Iranian nation and not any specific race, stratum or political orientation," said Rouhani.
Wednesday’s events commemorate Feb. 11, 1979, when followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ousted Iran's last king, U.S.-backed Shah Reza Pahlavi.
