Iranians held a commemoration of the social distance of their 1979 uprising on Wednesday, marching in vehicles to avoid infection rather than on foot, as Tehran showed ballistic missiles in defiance of Western efforts to reduce the program. .
State television showed live footage of cars, motorcycles and bicycles moving through the streets of dozens of cities and towns where tens of thousands of people march at the annual event.
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Iranians fly Israeli flag at gathering in Tehran to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Feb. 10, 2021
(Photo: AP)
Despite the change to wheeled parade forms, the emotions of the ritual did not change. Participants shook flags and signs from Iran that read “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” – a trade slogan of the Islamic revolution that defeated Shah with US support.
Iran, the Middle East country that hit COVID-19 hardest, has recorded about 59,000 deaths and 1.5 million cases. Authorities launched a vaccination campaign Tuesday, initially targeting hospital intensive care workers.
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Iranian women hold portraits of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and the late Qasem Soleimani at the anniversary of the uprising in Tehran
(Photo: AP)
In an online speech, President Hassan Rouhani raised the prospect of “communicating” with outside powers in the event of bilateral moves to block an important 2015 nuclear deal.
“As long as they honor their promises under the treaty, we will keep our promises … I’m sure the world will choose the path of dialogue with Iran,” Rouhani said.
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Iranians ride bicycles and motorcycles at a gathering in Tehran to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Feb.. 10, 2021
(Photo: AP)
U.S. President Joe Biden has said that if Tehran returned to strict adherence to the treaty, Washington would follow suit and use that as a springboard to a broader agreement that could restrict Iran’s missile development and regional operations.
Managing talks on its military capabilities, Tehran insists Washington should take the first step by lifting all sanctions imposed on Iran after to former President Donald Trump to abandon the agreement in 2018.
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An Iranian woman takes a selfie while riding a motorcycle at a rally in Tehran to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Feb. 10, 2021
(Photo: Reuters)
U.S. sanctions, coupled with a coronavirus crisis, have devastated Iran’s economy, where according to official data in September more than 50% of Iranians live below the poverty line.
State TV showed three ballistic missiles on display in Tehran’s Azadi Square (Freedom), with ranges from 700 to 1,000 km, (435 to 620 miles) according to state media.
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Iranians ride bicycles and motorcycles at a gathering in Tehran to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Feb.. 10, 2021
(Photo: AP)
They were also broadcast from underground missile films that the elite Revolutionary Guards have shown in recent years.
Iran has called for its nuclear power generation program and for other peaceful purposes. But U.S. intelligence agencies and the United Nations nuclear watchdog believe that Iran had a nuclear weapons program that it once suspended.