Tehran marks revolution anniversary amid defiant protests and crackdown
Tehran marks revolution anniversary amid defiant protests and crackdown
Lyse Doucet reports from Tehran as the revolution anniversary unfolds with defiant chants, a rare easing of an internet blackout, and echoes of protests across Iran.
Tehran marks the revolution's anniversary with fireworks and flag bunting, but the mood is tense. As clocks struck nine, the night sky filled with sound and color, and crowds surged through the streets. We heard 'God is greatest' from rooftops, while somewhere in the darkness, chants of 'death to the dictator' pierced the celebration, a stark reminder of the recent protests that were met with unprecedented force and a heavy toll on life.
This is the first trip back for international media since authorities lifted a near-total internet blackout, described as one of the longest digital shutdowns in history. The city glints with banners for what is known as the 'ten days of dawn,' and snow-capped Mount Damavand provides a dramatic backdrop to banners and lanterns that line avenues. Tehran, once shaken by last year's war-like exchanges, now narrates a different story of resilience as residents grapple with fear, pride, and a deep sense of national identity.
The anniversary is a stark illustration of a country deeply polarized. Official rhetoric speaks of national power and resistance, but across towns and cities, many people contest the government's line and demand accountability for the crackdown that followed last month's demonstrations. The memory of the crackdown—the large-scale arrests, the use of force, and the loss of life—hangs over the city even as authorities ease restrictions and allow limited international media access.
For observers, the scene is a reminder of how information is shaping the conversation. Fireworks, flags, and familiar chants sit beside warnings and questions about what comes next, and how voices inside Iran will navigate this charged moment. The soundscape—roaring crowds, distant sirens, and the intermittent shouts from balconies—offers a glimpse into a country where pride and peril walk hand in hand.
