On November 15, 2024, thousands of Iranians gathered at Azadi Square in Tehran for a ceremony marking 45 years of resistance against 'two global terrorists.' The event featured parades, cultural performances, and speeches by senior officials.
In his opening address, President Ebrahim Raisi underscored that the Iranian people's 45-year struggle demonstrated the nation's strength and patriotism. 'We have defeated two global terrorists who sought to undermine the peace and sovereignty of our country,' he declared. 'This spirit of resistance will be preserved and advanced by Iran's youth.'
According to local sources, the resistance refers to conflicts with Western-backed armed groups in the years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian officials said numerous externally funded attacks were repelled thanks to the unity and sacrifice of the military and the population.
The commemoration also included exhibitions of weapons and military equipment used in those battles, as well as seminars on resistance history for young people. Many participants carried Iranian flags and banners with slogans such as 'No terrorist can defeat Iranians' and 'Unity is strength.' Similar events took place in other major cities, including Isfahan, Mashhad, and Tabriz.
Analysts note that the ceremony comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western nations, especially over the nuclear program and regional issues. Tehran repeatedly accuses the United States and Israel of backing terrorist groups to destabilize the country. In response, US and European officials typically deny these accusations and criticize Iran over human rights concerns.
