Duabi (UAE)

Iran on Wednesday commemorated the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution at a time when its clerical establishment faces mounting strain both at home and abroad. While state-organised rallies projected strength and unity, dissent simmered in parts of the country and tensions with the United States showed little sign of easing.

The anniversary unfolded against the backdrop of renewed friction with Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview published Tuesday, indicated he was weighing the deployment of an additional aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. His remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, urging the U.S. administration to adopt the toughest possible stance in ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

Diplomatic activity intensified in the region. Senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani travelled from Oman to Qatar, both of which have served as mediators in the latest round of talks. Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. military base and shares a vast offshore gas field with Iran, has played a key intermediary role in previous negotiations.

On state television, large crowds were shown marching in cities across Iran, waving national flags and portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” echoed through organised gatherings. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian was expected to address supporters at Tehran’s Azadi Square later in the day.

Yet the official display of solidarity contrasted with undercurrents of unrest. The anniversary follows a recent crackdown on nationwide protests, during which security forces — including the powerful Revolutionary Guard — were accused of killing thousands and detaining tens of thousands. On the eve of the celebrations, reports from Tehran described people shouting anti-government slogans from rooftops as fireworks lit the capital’s skyline.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to Russia’s RT channel, expressed scepticism about U.S. intentions. Referring to previous negotiations that were followed by military escalation, he said Tehran needed assurances that such events would not be repeated. Nevertheless, he signalled openness to achieving a stronger agreement than the 2015 nuclear deal brokered under former U.S. President Barack Obama — an accord Trump withdrew from during his first term.

READ MORE: Khan Sir’s affordable hospital in Patna becomes lifeline for poor

Meanwhile, the U.S. has already bolstered its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying assets. American forces recently intercepted a drone near the carrier and responded to an incident involving a U.S.-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump suggested another carrier group could join what he described as an “armada” heading to the Middle East, though details remain uncertain.

As Iran marks a revolution that reshaped its political identity nearly five decades ago, the leadership finds itself navigating a complex landscape — balancing defiance abroad with demands for accountability and reform at home.