Iranians rally to celebrate anniversary of 1979 revolution

An Iranian constitutional watchdog has rejected an appeal by Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Islamic republic’s founder, against his disqualification from running as a candidate for a top clerical body.

Rouhani addressed the people of Iran on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“It is a “No” to those who do not respect the law and seek confrontation”.

Demonstrators are chanting slogans in support of the Islamic Revolution, which put an end to the monarchy in Iran, and anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, IRNA news agency reports.

A resolution, read at the square marking the anniversary, said Iran will continue its missile program “determinedly”, warning against the “enemies which seek to threaten or weaken” Tehran.

The deal has seen a host of foreign investors declare interest in Iran, an unblocking of frozen Iranian assets held overseas and a warming of ties between the Islamic republic and the West.

Iranian state media released images Wednesday that it said shows one of the US sailors weeping while in detention.

He also defended the nuclear deal, which hardliners oppose as a concession to pressure from Washington.

Many Iranian leaders came to the rallies, including Qassem Soleimani, chief of the Quds Forces of the elite Revolutionary Guard, who made a brief appearance.

Groups of shackled Iranian men and at least one woman (many of them overweight) were paraded thought the streets of downtown Tehran as part of the celebration.

Rouhani referred to the recent visits of Russian Federation and China’s presidents to Iran, and also touched on his recent tour to European countries of Italy and France, saying that in all of the events important contracts were signed with the parties, which is an embodiment of Iran’s importance to the world.