Iran Live Coverage: 34th Anniversary of Islamic Revolution --- But How Many Are Celebrating?

0734 GMT: An Advance Declaration of Victory. Fars' English-language service is already proclaiming, "Millions of Iranians in Tehran and other cities poured to the streets on Sunday to show their unconditional support for the Islamic Republic."

Press TV's correspondent in Azadi Square in Tehran, the site of the main rally, is enthusiastic but --- probably unwittingly --- does not fulfil the script: he says there are "tens of thousands" there.

0724 GMT: US-Iran Relations. The contemporary theme for today's celebrations is the Supreme Leader's declaration on theme that Tehran cannot negotiate directly with the US, for example, over Iran's nuclear programme.

Press TV is currently bringing the point home with an interview with Tehran University academic Seyed Mohammad Marandi, who outlines a history of US mis-deeds, the "betrayal" of the Obama Administration since 2009, and the wrongs of sanctions: "What matters is what the US does, not what the US says".

0714 GMT: The Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. State outlet Press TV puts out the standard announcement:

Iranians stage mass rallies across the country to mark the 34th anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that put an end to the monarchy of the US-backed Pahlavi regime in the country.

People in the capital Tehran and many other cities and towns started to take to streets on Sunday morning to renew their allegiance to the ideals of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

President Ahmadinejad is expected to address the crowd in Tehran's Azadi Square this morning. Meanwhile, State media are trumpeting Iran's scientific and technological progress, such as its launch of a monkey into space earlier this month.

The military has also promised announcements of breakthroughs in weaponry, including the Islamic Republic's first unmanned "stealth drone". This morning, Deputy Defense Minister Mehdi Farahi declared that Iran's latest indigenous air-to-air missile, Fakour, has been successfully tested, with other air-launched cruise missiles to be launched in "coming days". 

from EA WorldView: EA Iran

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