'Bahman 22' manifestation of national unity: Raeisi

Speaking at the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution ceremony on Saturday, President Raeisi considered Bahman 22 [February 11] as the day when tyranny and dependence ended [in Iran] and independence, freedom and the Islamic Republic started instead. The day when the will of the great nation of Iran came true."

Raeisi called the Bahman 22 the day of the triumph of truth over falsity, the day of the victory of the oppressed over the arrogant, and the realization of the miracle of the century.

The Iranian nation overthrew the despotic regime of Pahlavi, which was fully supported by the United States in the winter of 1979. The struggle against the Shah regime reached full fruition on February 11, 1979.

Stressing that both the establishment and the continuation of the Pahlavi regime were against the nation’s will and accompanied with a coup d'état, the Iranian president said, “They committed crimes and treason during their rule, and they were unconcerned about [Iranian people’s] great capacities, and only cared for the pleasure of the global hegemony and the United States."

“Pahlavi's despotic rule only brought backwardness to this nation and country,” Raeisi added, saying, “They came to power against the principles of the Constitution and with a coup.”

Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran reached significant achievements in the scientific, technological, economic, defense, and healthcare sectors, the President underlined.

Today, the people have come to renew their allegiance to the late Imam Khomeini (RA), the Leader [of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei], the martyrs, and the sublime ideals of the Islamic Revolution and show that the allegiance is higher than a vote, Rarisi said, adding that today is the day of the manifestation of national unity.

Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets of cities and villages to show that they abide by their commitments and allegiance, he noted. "We have not come together on Bahman 22 to merely commemorate the great day but to tell that the popular support once more brought the failure of the enemies and the victory of the Revolution front."

Referring to the surprise removal of the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorist group that has assassinated 17,000 Iranians from the list of terrorist groups by the US, he said that the act is a shame for Washington.

Referring to the recent riots in the country, Raeisi said that when the enemies saw that the country is progressing in all fields and has not stopped [despite the sanctions imposed on the country] they tried to create unrest to stop the Iranians’ progress.

He also pointed to the women's states in the country and said that today’s Iran provides women with great opportunities in all political, social, cultural and scientific areas, while Western societies try to apply women as a tool.