President Pezeshkian says Iran will not yield to excessive demands on its nuclear programme but is open to verification, as talks with the US resume.
TEHRAN: President Masoud Pezeshkian (pic) declared Iran would not bow to outside aggression during a speech marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. He addressed crowds at Tehran’s Azadi Square as the nation celebrated its main revolutionary holiday.
The event was overshadowed by the looming threat of US military action. US President Donald Trump has not ruled out strikes against Tehran, linking his decision to a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Protesters renewed anti-government chants from residential balconies in defiance of an ongoing crackdown. Footage shared on Telegram and X showed people in Tehran chanting “death to Khamenei” and “death to the dictator” late Tuesday.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, 6,984 people were killed during the protests. The group stated that 6,490 of those killed were protesters.
At least 52,623 people have been arrested in the ensuing crackdown, HRANA added. Those recently arrested include figures in the reformist movement who supported Pezeshkian’s 2024 election campaign.
“Our Iran will not yield in the face of aggression, but we are continuing dialogue with all our strength with neighbouring countries in order to establish peace and tranquillity in the region,” Pezeshkian said. He insisted Iran’s atomic programme was entirely peaceful and ready for “any verification”.
Iranian and US envoys held indirect talks on the nuclear issue in Oman last Friday. Iran’s security council head Ali Larijani followed with talks in Oman on Tuesday before heading to US ally Qatar for further discussions.
Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Trump discussed de-escalation efforts in a telephone call. Gulf states are seeking to mediate a peaceful outcome to the tensions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to hold talks with Trump on Wednesday. Netanyahu has advocated for a tougher stance against Tehran.
People at the anniversary events brandished images of Trump with the slogan “we will disappoint our enemies”. The protests and US threat pose a major challenge for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The anniversary marks the resignation of the ousted shah’s last prime minister on February 11, 1979. It also commemorates the formal assumption of power by revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.