Iran marks 33rd anniversary of Islamic revolution

TEHRAN - Hundreds of thousands of Iranians carrying flags and banners in support of the Islamic regime celebrated nationwide the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution on Saturday.

A demonstrator peeks from under an Iranian flag during a ceremony to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, in Tehran's Azadi square, Feb 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

State television showed the people in the capital Tehran and other cities swarmed the streets and were carrying images of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, and his successor, incumbent leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, people in Tehran swarmed the Azadi (liberty) Square and nearby areas to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution which toppled the US-backed regime of Shah in 1979.

Addressing a large crowd of people gathered at Tehran's Azadi Square on the occasion, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday that Iran has always been ready for the talks over its nuclear issue, but it will not yield to Western pressures to quit its rights.

"We have always been ready for (nuclear) talks within the framework of justice and respect," said the Iranian President, adding that, however, "I clearly announce that if you (Westerners) talk in the language of coercion and disrespect (with Iranians), the Iranian nation will never surrender to you" over its nuclear rights.

"The only way you need to observe is to respect the rights of Iranian nation and to come to the negotiation table," said Ahmadinejad.

Also, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Saturday that the Iranian nation and the government will not give in to any Western pressure over its "peaceful" nuclear program, local satellite Press TV reported.