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*SARAH MEHRABI
Demonstrators marked the anniversary commemorating the martyrdom of Major General Qasem Soleimani and his comrades assassinated by US on January 3.
They also held banners backing Axis of Resistance.
Iran President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi, Spokesman for Iran's Guardian Council Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei were among the political figures participating in the event.
Speaking at the event, President Rouhani said, "The massive presence of people at 22 Bahman demonstrations is the strongest response to the White House and oppressors, and the call of freedom of the great Iranian nation".
Rouhani said on Tuesday, "For the Iranian nation, no day is greater than 22 Bahman, and the gathering of people across the country more immense than any other year indicates that this people attaches great weight to its freedom and independence".
"This year, because the United States has committed the biggest crimes against the Iranian nation with their economic pressure, the martyrdom of our great general and violating the rights of the Palestinians, the massive gathering of people is considered a strong response to it".
The ceremony, held in more than 5200 areas across the country, started at 9 am local time.
In Tehran, people and officials descended on the iconic Azadi Square.
The event was being covered by more than 6000 Iranian and foreign reporters.
In the capital, Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics held an exhibition on the sidelines of the rally, putting on display a number of the country’s defense achievements, including smart bombs, precision-strike missiles and armored personnel carriers, in a show of power amid enemy threats.
NEWS END/
