Revolution Day in Iran: Celebrating Survival

Overshadowed by the bloody protests that began in December 2025, Iran’s commemoration of the 48th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution had little to celebrate beyond the regime’s survival.

• February 11: In a televised address transcribed by Supreme National Security Council mouthpiece Nour News, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei thanked Iranians for taking part in Revolution Day rallies:
  • “You carried out a great act; you made Iran proud. As always, by supporting the Islamic Republic, you added to its strength, and the enemies who, in their statements and plans, sought the surrender of the Iranian nation were left disappointed … this great movement signifies the dignity and strength of Iran … Let us all strive to preserve this connection and national unity, which is extremely valuable and precious.”
• February 12: A Revolution Day commemoration published in reformist Etemad was dedicated to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s address to the crowds in Tehran. Pezeshkian said:
  • “As president, I apologize to the people of Iran for all the shortcomings and deficiencies, and I declare that in the 14th Cabinet, we have made every effort to resolve the people’s problems with strength and seriousness, and, with God’s help and the wise guidance of the leader of the revolution, we will succeed on this path.”
  • Referring to recent protests, Pezeshkian said: “The events that occurred placed a great sorrow on the hearts of the people of Iran, and some of our beloved people lost their lives … We consider ourselves responsible before the people, we apologize to the nation, and we are obliged to serve all those who were harmed in these incidents, and we will continue on this path.”
  • Addressing the nuclear issue, the president said: “We have repeatedly stated that we are not seeking nuclear weapons and are ready for any kind of verification. The United States and Europe, through their positions and statements, have created a tall wall of mistrust and do not allow the talks to reach a conclusion. Iran will not bow to the excessive demands of the West and will not back down in the face of aggression. At the same time, we are fully engaged in pursuing peace and stability with the countries of the region, because we believe that the region’s problems can only be solved by the countries of the region, not by foreign powers.”
• February 12: Hard-line Kayhan covered the Revolution Day rally in Tehran:
  • “The nation’s storm blew the enemy’s wishes to the wind!”
• February 12: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Javan praised the “million-man-large rallies celebrating the revolution.”

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