TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Millions of Iranians across the country on Saturday began ten days of celebrations, marking the 35th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The ceremonies kicked off all over the nation at 9:33 a.m. local time (0603 GMT), the time when the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini arrived back home on February 1, 1979 from exile.
Imam Khomeini spent more than 14 years in exile, mostly in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf. He also spent some time in Turkey and France, before his return to Iran.
The day when Imam Khomeini returned to Tehran set off a hiatus of events for 10 days, which culminated in the February 11 triumph of the Islamic Revolution and ousted the pro-U.S. shah.
On Saturday morning, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei visited the mausoleum of the late Imam Khomeini in southern Tehran to pay tribute to the founder of the Islamic Revolution.
The Iranian nation toppled the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime 35 years ago, ending the 2,500 years of monarchic rule.
The Islamic Revolution spearheaded by the late Imam Khomeini established a new political system based on Islamic values and democracy.
During the 10-Day Dawn festivities, Iranians take part in different events and activities to mark the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
The event often marks Iran's unveiling of new achievements in various sectors.
On Saturday, a senior official said Iran is one of the few countries in the world capable of manufacturing advanced weapons and military equipment.
“Iran imported nearly all its military hardware from abroad before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, but today it is a manufacturer of advanced military hardware in the world,” head of the army's Ideological and Political Organization Muhammad Ali Al-e Hashem said.
Leader's representative at the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ali Saeedi meanwhile underlined Iran’s regional influence, saying the country’s influence has now surpassed the nation's geographical borders.
“Today our borders have stretched to the Mediterranean coasts,” Saeedi said.
The official said Iran should not to lose this power or the enemy will once again come to deploy right at the country’s borders.
Meanwhile, a senior commander said the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) plans to hold joint drills with other branches of the armed forces in the coming Iranian year which starts on March 21.
“God willing, we will have joint maneuvers next year in a bid to enhance defensive and military capabilities of pilots and jet fighters and increase coordination and harmony with other armed forces,” IRIAF deputy commander Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said.
