Iran celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution

The Ambassador of Venezuela to the International Organizations, H.E. Haifa Aissami Madah, H.E. Alireza Jahangiri and his spouse Maryam.

By Guido Lanfranchi.

Iranians at home and all around the world recently celebrated the 40^th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the Netherlands, the Iranian Embassy organized a reception in Wassenaar, where the Embassy’s staff celebrated this important anniversary together with the diplomatic community.

It was at the beginning of 1979 that the Iranian people decided to rise against the oppressive rule of the Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, and to establish in its place the Islamic Republic of Iran, under the guidance of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Forty years later, on the fortieth anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Iranians are celebrating both within Iran and all around the world.

In the Netherlands, which is host to a community of around 40,000 Iranians, the Iranian Embassy decided to celebrate this anniversary together with its partners of the diplomatic community. Ambassador Dr. Alireza Jahangiri invited Iran’s many friends to gather at Kasteel de Wittenburg, in Wassenar, where everything was duly prepared to host this important celebration.

In the evening of February 11^th, 2019, the hosts started to arrive at the Kasteel. Among them, a large number of Ambassadors and diplomats were present, together with officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and different international organizations based in The Hague. All the guests were welcomed in a large reception room, where they could enjoy talks about Iran and a number of other issues.

The formal celebration started with the speech of the Iranian Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri. The Ambassador recalled the significance of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, stressing that since the very beginning the Revolution “followed the principles of respect for the right of other nations, standing against oppression, aggression, corruption, tyranny, arrogance and external interference in the fate of nations.”

Since the Islamic Revolution – Ambassador Jahangiri noted – Iran has been victim of conspiracies and terrorism, and its people have faced all types of hardships, including coups, wars and sanctions. Nevertheless – he rejoiced – the Islamic Republic has always managed to resist such attempts of destabilization, and has even achieved “tremendous success” in sciences and academia, all by relying exclusively on its own capabilities.

Ambassador Jahangiri underlined the key role played by Iran at the regional level, which has deep historical roots. He stressed that, “neither in the past 40 years nor before, Iran has never initiated an attack or invasion of its neighbors or other countries and whenever asked for help, it has rushed to aid every country.”

The Ambassador also noted Iran’s attachment to “constructive dialogue and multilateral engagement with other countries based on the principles of equality and respect.” He praised the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, stressing the importance of this organization for Iran, which in its history has been a victim of chemical weapons.

Moreover, he praised the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the deal reached by Iran and the so-called P5+1 on Iran’s nuclear development, as “a good example of the triumph of diplomacy, multilateralism and Iran’s dedication to its commitments.” He stressed that, while Iran’s compliance has been repeatedly certified by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United States has disattended its obligations. As also Iran’s European partners have not managed to fulfill their obligations, “the balance in the agreement is disappeared” – Ambassador Jahangiri regretted. However, he also wished that the recent initiatives by European countries, notably the establishment of INSTEX, could help both sides in addressing the current imbalances.

The Ambassador also praised the bilateral relationship between Iran and the Netheralnds, which has witnessed an expansion in all its dimensions over the past years. He praised the mutual visits by high-ranking officials from both sides, hoping for an even tighter cooperation in the year to come, including in the domain of economic interaction.

Finally, while thanking all those involved in the organization of the celebration, Ambassador Jahangiri announced that this National Day ceremony would be the last for him as the Iranian Ambassador to the Netherlands. In his concluding remarks, he expressed his gratitude to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the whole diplomatic community of the Netherlands, thanking everyone for their “wholehearted cooperation and friendship.”

While the Ambassador and the Embassy’s staff celebrated the Revolution’s anniversary in Wassenaar with the diplomatic community of the Netherlands, large celebrations also took place in Iran. In this occasion, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the Iranian people with an important speech: in his address, the Supreme Leader praised the vast achievements of the Islamic Republic during the last forty years, then announcing the country’s movement towards the “Second Phase of the Revolution.” 
The entire speech of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran can be found here: http://english.khamenei.ir/news/6415/The-Second-Phase-of-the-Revolution-Statement-addressed-to-the

In Wassenaar, after welcoming the Ambassador Jahangiri’s speech with an applause, the guests enjoyed an intermezzo of traditional Iranian music, followed by a large set of Persian dishes prepared for the occasion. At the moment of leaving the reception, all the guests greeted Ambassador Jahangiri and his wife Maryam, at times exchanging the last goodbyes ahead of the Ambassador’s departure.