Hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets across the country on February 10 to mark the 46th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with senior officials using the occasion to highlight the nation's independence and unity amid a new targeting by the US on Iran’s economy.

The annual commemoration drew large crowds across Iran, with rallies held in over 1,400 cities and 35,000 villages nationwide. In Tehran, participants converged on Azadi (Freedom) Square through 12 designated routes. Officials used the occasion to push back against recent US pressure, with several speakers directly challenging former President Trump's approach to negotiations. The rhetoric marked a return to revolutionary themes of resistance against Western influence, with leaders stressing Iran's determination to maintain its independence despite international pressure.

President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the gathering at Azadi Square, highlighted the revolution's historical significance: "On this day, our revolution succeeded in expelling the oppressors from Iran. The secret to our success was the presence and unity of the people."

In a wide-ranging speech, Pezeshkian directly addressed tensions with the US, particularly regarding former President Trump's approach to negotiations. "Trump says he wants dialogue, but in the same breath signs and announces every possible plot to bring the revolution to its knees," he said. "He claims Iran has destabilised the region, while Israel, with American support, carries out killings, looting and bombardment in the region."

Addressing domestic challenges including the weakened economy, Pezeshkian pledged to tackle inequality: "If there are problems, we officials promise to work hand in hand, following the path of our martyrs, to solve discrimination, injustice, poverty and existing problems through everyone's cooperation and empathy.

"Today, the enemy fuels differences and wants to suggest that Iran has weakened to strike at us; unaware that the nation, under the Supreme Leader's guidance, thwarts these attempts and we stand firm. The enemy is [the] terrorist yet accuses us of terrorism," he added.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker, speaking at a rally in Urmia in the country’s northwest ethnic Azerbaijani region, warned against attempts to divide the nation.

"Anyone who tries to damage this national unity has committed a political sin," he said, emphasising the importance of maintaining social cohesion. He added that "we must move towards making Iran stronger day by day."

The commemoration comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and US President Donald Trump’s latest memorandum of maximum pressure policy on the Islamic Republic, which has seen the Iranian rial fall to its lowest-ever level against the US dollar on February 9.  

Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President (effective prime minister), addressing journalists at the rally, highlighted continued distrust towards the United States. "America has never been trustworthy and still isn't," he shouted, adding that Iran currently sees no benefit in engaging with the US in negotiations.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking in Hamadan, stressed the revolution's core principle of independence: "The Islamic Revolution was meant to ensure that no foreigner would dare dictate terms to the Iranian people and leadership." He clarified that the revolutionary slogan "Neither East nor West" does not preclude relations with other countries but rather represents independence from major powers.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Deputy Commander Ali Fadavi, addressing crowds in Zahedan, struck a defiant tone: "Our enemies should know that the Iranian nation is zealous, committed and brave. The followers of Satan cannot threaten us and will not succeed in doing so."

This year's commemoration, themed "Presence until Appearance" in reference to the anticipated return of the Twelfth Imam in Shiite theology, featured various cultural programmes, including a 1,357-person student choir performance. Service stations were set up along the rally routes to provide assistance to participants.

The demonstrations, which have been a yearly fixture since the 1979 revolution that overthrew the US-backed Shah, traditionally serve as a show of popular support for the Islamic Republic's system of governance. This year's rallies were particularly significant given the growing tensions between Tehran and Washington.