Roving Periscope: Amid existential crisis, Iran ‘celebrates’ the 1979 Islamic Revolution
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for national unity as his troubled theocracy, facing an unprecedented existential crisis for the first time, ‘celebrated’ the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the media reported on Wednesday.
He also said Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, and apologized for his government’s shortcomings.
In the face of external threats, internal turmoil, and a collapsed economy, Pezeshkian called for national unity while insisting that his government is willing to negotiate over its nuclear programme, as he addressed a huge public ceremony in Tehran to mark the founding of the Islamic Republic.
Large crowds gathered in the capital and other cities across a Shia-majority Iran in a show of support for the theocratic government as Iran observed the 1979 Revolution’s anniversary amid one of the most difficult moments in its recent history.
Amid the ongoing talks on Iran’s nuclear program, US President Donald Trump threatened Tehran with potential military attacks if it does not accede to Washington’s demands on issues ranging from nuclear enrichment to ballistic missiles, as he reportedly considered sending yet another aircraft carrier group to the volatile region.
Alongside the threats from the US, Iran is grappling with bitter internal divisions amid the fallout from its deadly crackdown on protests in January, in which thousands of protesters were killed, and a cratering economy.
Addressing the crowds in Tehran’s Azadi Square, Pezeshkian called for solidarity amongst Iranians in the face of “conspiracies from imperial powers”.
“We are standing together … in solidarity in the face of all conspiracies targeting our nation,” he said, adding that the strength and unity of the Iranian people “gives rise to worry within our enemy”.
“We should continue to stand side by side.”
About the nuclear talks, he said Iran was “not seeking nuclear weapons” and was “ready for any kind of verification.”
However, he said, the “high wall of mistrust” created by the US and Europe “does not allow these talks to reach a conclusion.”
“At the same time, we are engaging with full determination in dialogue aimed at peace and stability in the region alongside our neighbouring countries,” he added.
Protests
Addressing the recent popular and massive protests across Iran, which began with demonstrations on December 28, 2025, over the high cost of living and the plummeting currency before broadening into other grievances against the government, Pezeshkian apologized for his government’s shortcomings, and said it was making “every possible effort” to fix the problems.
“We are ready to listen to the voice of the people. We are servants of the people. We are not seeking to confront the people,” he said.
He blamed “malicious propaganda” circulated by Iran’s enemies for inflaming the unrest, which he referred to as riots.
“The efforts that our enemies are making to create deep wounds in society and widen divisions, we must heal these wounds,” he said.
Experts said Pezeshkian’s speech signalled that Iran was “open to a fair and balanced deal with the United States.”
“While Pezeshkian did not go into any details, saying Iran is open to that means that Iran, at the same time, will resist unrealistic demands from the United States that seek to disarm Iran or deny Iran of its sovereign rights.”
The President’s speech acknowledged that the public’s grievances with the government were legitimate, and that his government would do its best to resolve the problems.
The anniversary commemorations took place at a critical moment for Iran, as the country faced external threats and significant internal division.
Anniversary
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a call on Tuesday for Iranians to turn out and join the anniversary celebrations, which were attended by senior political, military and religious figures.
The commemorations featured prominent symbols of anti-US and anti-Israeli sentiment, with people burning and trampling the flags of those countries.
Iranian media showed images of symbolic coffins draped in US flags and bearing the names and portraits of US military commanders, while Iranian missiles and the wreckage of Israeli drones shot down during the 12-day war in 2025 were displayed.
In the streets, people waved images of Khamenei and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, alongside Iranian and Palestinian flags. Some chanted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!”
The commemorations in Iran have come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding the nuclear negotiations with the US, as Washington has continued to threaten military action.
On Wednesday, Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani left Oman, where he had met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al Said and the country’s foreign minister to discuss the results of talks between US and Iranian officials in the sultanate last week, for Qatar.
Qatar, which hosts a major US military base that Iran attacked in June 2025 after Washington’s attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, has been a key negotiator in the past with Iran.
Larijani is expected to meet with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the visit, which comes shortly after the emir discussed efforts for regional de-escalation and stability in a phone call with Trump, the Emiri Diwan said on Wednesday.
The emir and Trump discussed “supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing crises through dialogue and peaceful means”, the Diwan said.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet Trump in Washington on Wednesday to present his government’s concerns over any potential deal with Iran.
