In pictures: Iranians mark 42nd anniversary of Islamic Revolution

42 years on, Iranians have turned out on the streets to commemorate an Islamic Revolution that put an end to decades of monarchical rule in the country. In 1979, Imam Khomeini returned from exile and under his leadership, the Shah’s government was overthrown following a massive public uprising.

Imam Khomeini marked the beginning of a whole new era for the nation

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was one of the most important uprisings in modern political history, an event which still shapes the world. After enduring decades of economic exploitation under the British, followed by a CIA and MI6 coup in 1953 to overthrow Iranian PM Mossadegh and replace him with Western-backed monarch the Shah, Iran finally stood up to Britain and the United States. Iranians took to the streets by the millions, regained its sovereignty as well control over its natural resources and dealt a heavy blow to imperialism, setting the stage for resistance and anti-imperialist movements to this day.

Iranians benefited tremendously from the 1979 Islamic Revolution

President says Imam Khomeini depended solely on the power of the people

President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday Imam Khomeini depended solely on the power of the people, knowing that “soft power” would eventually triumph over “hard power.”

The Ten-Day Dawn celebrations kicked off across Iran and elsewhere in world

The annual festivities started on Sunday morning, commemorating the moment the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, disembarked from an Air France jumbo jet to a massive welcome back home, ending his exile in Paris.

Leader visits Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum

As of every year, the ceremonies began with a visit by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum. The mausoleum, south of the capital Tehran, also hosts senior Iranian officials, as well as ordinary people, particularly on the first day of the celebrations.

Iran marking run-up to 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution

Ten-Day Dawn celebrations have got off to an ebullient start in Iran, marking the run-up to the 42nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the the US-backed Pahlavi regime.

Imam Khomeini's quotes on his exile