Anniversary of Iranian Revolution Marks Enduring National Will Against Foreign Domination

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the 22nd of Bahman marks the historical turning point of February 11, 1979, when the Iranian nation transitioned toward a new destiny, escaping the oppression of the Pahlavi regime and external domination. While celebrating this achievement of national independence and freedom, the day is also recognized as the commencement of continuous machinations by the West and its affiliates aimed at subverting the Iranian people’s resolve, primarily through cognitive warfare, sanctions, and acts of terror.

In recent years, a substantial portion of hostile media capacity has been dedicated to rehabilitating the image of the Pahlavi dynasty. Despite the significant financial investment by this ’empire of deceit’ to cleanse the Pahlavi legacy, sources assert that rehabilitation remains impossible. State-affiliated media connected to international Zionism often portray the collapse of the Pahlavi regime and the victory of the Islamic Revolution as events from ancient history, suggesting a lack of accessible evidence. This narrative ignores that less than five decades have passed, with millions of eyewitnesses still alive, alongside abundant written, oral, and visual documentation from that era.

The Islamic Revolution was not a random occurrence but the logical outcome of deep-seated social, cultural, and political transformations resulting from years of monarchical rule. The Iranian people, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, rose against the Pahlavi regime because it had completely forfeited its legitimacy. Politically, the Pahlavi monarchy was established through a 1921 coup orchestrated by Britain and sustained by American backing in the 1953 coup. The Shah’s dependence on the West, particularly the United States, was so profound that concerns over potential abandonment by Washington constantly preoccupied him.

Domestically, the Pahlavi regime enforced repression and stifled all dissenting voices, creating an atmosphere of suffocation. Security organizations, such as SAVAK, subjected not only critics but ordinary citizens to harassment and intimidation. The pervasive fear of SAVAK paralyzed society, silencing nearly all opposition. This isolation prevented the Pahlavi regime from receiving genuine public feedback, leading to severe miscalculations regarding its social capital. The perception of deep popular support was merely an illusion shattered by the eruption of the Islamic Revolution.

Culturally, the Pahlavi era’s hasty pursuit of modernization and Westernization, executed without regard for Iran’s historical and cultural foundations, generated a vast chasm between the regime and the populace, challenging both Iranian identity and Islamic culture. Economically, despite slogans referencing becoming a ‘gateway to great civilization,’ deep class divisions, rampant financial corruption within the court, foreign dependency, an overreliance on oil revenues, and neglect of agricultural and production infrastructure fueled increasing discontent among the underprivileged masses and the middle class. These factors eventually exhausted the public’s patience, leading to the volcano of national anger erupting in 1978.

Imam Khomeini correctly perceived the prevailing conditions, articulating the theory of Islamic governance and uniting the religious values with the political will of the people. This inherent national strength coalesced into a monumental, unified movement for the birth of a new Iran, with the 22nd of Bahman representing the realization of this collective will. False narratives suggesting Iran was ‘on the path to becoming Japan’ cannot whitewash the Pahlavi history. The very nature of the Revolution, involving diverse segments of the nation with differing political perspectives, underscored the people’s exhaustion and disillusionment with the Pahlavi rule.

For the past 47 years, the people have consistently stood in support of Iran and the Islamic Republic. Demonstrations of this sustained commitment include the massive turnout for the 1979 referendum, which secured over 98 percent approval for the Islamic Republic system, and the resolute backing shown during the 22nd of Dey demonstrations this year.

The annual participation in the 22nd of Bahman rallies is more than just participation in a memorial ceremony; it is a living, permanent renewal of commitment by all generations to the authentic ideals of the Revolution. This procession serves as a display of national unity and authority, communicating to the world that the Iranian nation remains united in safeguarding the foundations of the system that delivered independence, freedom, and the Islamic Republic, despite existing challenges. This presence continually reminds and educates newer generations who did not witness those days about the roots of their national and religious identity.

This participation sends a clear message to the system of domination, led by the United States, that its plots for infiltration, behavioral modification, or regime change will be met by the solid barrier of the Iranian national will. The 22nd of Bahman march symbolizes the continuity of the revolutionary movement—a movement that views itself as an ongoing process toward achieving dignity, justice, progress, and the revival of the Islamic-Iranian identity. Public presence on this day guarantees the survival and continuation of the path irrigated by the blood of the nation’s finest sons and preserves the achievements gained at the cost of many lives. This procession is the manifestation of a nation that remains steadfast on its historical choice and is prepared to defend it with its very lives if necessary.