Iran Marks 47th Anniversary of Islamic Revolution Amid Pressure

Government-sponsored celebrations take place as country faces internal and external challenges.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on Wednesday, with government-sponsored celebrations taking place across the country. However, the country's theocracy remains under pressure, both from U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion of sending another aircraft carrier group to the Middle East and a public that is angrily denouncing the government's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.

Why it matters

The anniversary celebrations come at a time of significant internal and external pressure on Iran's government. Domestically, the country has faced widespread protests and a violent crackdown, while internationally, tensions remain high with the U.S. and its allies. The anniversary provides a platform for the government to project strength, but also highlights the challenges it continues to face.

The details

During the celebrations, Iranian state television broadcast images of thousands taking to the streets in support of the theocracy and its 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, witnesses also reported hearing shouts of "Death to the dictator!" from people's homes in Tehran as government-sponsored fireworks lit the sky. Meanwhile, a top Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, traveled to Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. military installation that Iran attacked in June 2025 after the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Iran-Israel war.

  • Iran marked the 47th anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • In June 2025, Iran attacked a major U.S. military installation in Qatar after the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Iran-Israel war.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who suggested sending another aircraft carrier group to the Middle East.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The 86-year-old Supreme Leader of Iran.

Ali Larijani

A top Iranian security official who traveled to Qatar.

Masoud Pezeshkian

Iran's reformist President, who earlier ordered the country's foreign minister to enter talks with the Americans.

Abbas Araghchi

Iran's Foreign Minister, who said Tehran still does not have full trust for the Americans.

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What they’re saying

“Last time we negotiated, last June we were in the middle of negotiation then they decided to attack us and that was a very very bad experience for us. We need to make sure that that scenario is not repeated and this is mostly up to America.”

— Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister (RT)

“We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going.”

— Donald Trump (Axios)

What’s next

It remains unclear what specific carrier could be sent to the Middle East, as the USS George H.W. Bush has left Norfolk, Virginia, and the USS Gerald R. Ford remains in the Caribbean after a U.S. military raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

The takeaway

Iran's anniversary celebrations highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges facing the country's government, both domestically and internationally. The government's efforts to project strength are met with public anger over the crackdown on protests, while the U.S. continues to exert pressure through military posturing and diplomatic efforts.