Tehran: Tens of thousands of Iranians, shouting "Death to America", gathered on Thursday at a Tehran square to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution amid tight security and expected opposition protests.
State television showed footage of men, women and children carrying banners reading "Death to America! Death to Israel!" as they headed to Azadi (Freedom) Square in southwest Tehran to mark the day the US-backed shah was toppled in 1979.
Opposition website Rahesabz reported that thousands of anti-government protesters were also in the streets of Tehran. There was no independent confirmation as the foreign media has been banned from covering street marches.
Security forces had been massively deployed at Azadi Square, where President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to give a speech.
Celebrations to mark the day the shah have been traditionally festive, and an opportunity for Iranian leaders to showcase popular support for the establishment.
But this year, opposition groups -- led by some of the founding fathers of the Islamic republic -- look set to hijack the national day as they continue to reject the legitimacy Ahmadinejad's government.
If the opposition does succeed in mounting protests, this would be highly symbolic given the anniversary's historic significance.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 13:28