Iranians rally on 34th anniversary of revolution

‘Down with the US’ and ‘Death to Israel’ chants heard across the country

10 February 2013, 9:44 am

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Iranian children play on top of a tank in a ceremony commemorating the 33rd anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, last year in Tehran (photo credit: AP/Vahid Salemi)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranians are rallying across the country to mark the 34th anniversary of the 1979 revolution that deposed a pro-West monarch and brought in the Islamic Republic.

State TV broadcast live on Sunday gatherings in Tehran and elsewhere across the country.

Many demonstrators were chanting “Down with the US” and “Death to Israel,” slogans traditionally used to denounce the Islamic Republic’s arch-enemies.

Iran has in recent years used the occasion to demonstrate defiance against Western pressure over its nuclear program.

In the last year the West has tightened sanctions to stop activities that it claims are used to develop weapons technology. Iran denies the charge, saying its nuclear program is peaceful.