Iranian Cities Rocked By Overnight Protests After Islamic Revolution Commemorations

Several Iranian cities were once again the scene of overnight protests, as the Islamic Republic ended commemorations marking the 44th anniversary of the revolution that brought Iran’s clerical rulers to power.

Defying an ongoing brutal crackdown by security forces on almost five months of nationwide protests, angry demonstrators took to the streets in Tehran, Gilan, Amol, Bojnord and Hemedan late on February 12 and chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

Footage shared on social media shows hundreds of residents in the streets of the capital’s Ekbatan neighborhood chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator" and "Death to the republic of executions."

Ekbatan has been a hotspot of public anger in Tehran, with many residents being arrested by the security forces.

Tehran residents also gathered on their houses' roofs and balconies in other parts of city to chant slogans in support of the women-led protest movement triggered by the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Tehran’s morality police.

In the northern city of Gilan, protesters set fire to banners that had been installed for the 10-day commemorations marking the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In a defiant speech on Tehran's Azadi Square on February 11, President Ebrahim Raisi claimed nationwide anti-government protest movement had been defeated.

The authorities have cracked down hard on the widespread protests demanding more freedoms and women’s rights.

Security forces have killed more than 520 people, including dozens of children, and detained over 18,000, activists say.

Following unlawful detentions and biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences to protesters.

Around 20 people have been handed capital punishment in connection with the protests. Four of them have been executed so far amid international outrage.