Top general hails 100 nights of street rallies as key deterrent against US, Israel

The commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has thanked Iranians for 100 consecutive nights of nationwide street rallies, describing the unprecedented mass gatherings as a manifestation of a "new resurrection" of the nation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Major General Ali Abdollahi said the rallies — which have drawn millions of people onto the streets across Iran every night for more than three months — represent far more than a social or political movement.

"This magnificent and unparalleled presence, which has continued for 100 consecutive nights with strength, faith, awareness and perseverance, is not merely a social or political movement," the general said.

"Rather, it is the manifestation of a new resurrection and a great awakening of the Iranian nation."

The nightly demonstrations began after the US and Israel launched an unprovoked war on Iran on Feb. 28, assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as well as attacking military facilities, schools and hospitals.

Despite a fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire in place since early April, Washington has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports, and Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon and Gaza.

Abdollahi, a pilot and senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps commander, said the rallies have become one of the main components of Iran's strategic deterrence and have sent a clear message to the United States and Israel.

"This astonishing popular phenomenon, in addition to demonstrating rare national unity, has become one of the main components of the strategic deterrence of the Islamic Republic of Iran and has conveyed a clear message to the enemies of the Iranian nation, especially the terrorist rulers of the United States of America and the filthy and criminal Zionist regime."

Abdollahi said, "The security, power and dignity of this land rely not only on equipment and military capability, but on the great popular support, revolutionary faith and the unbreakable bond between the nation, the leadership and the armed forces."

"The enemies of this land, more than ever before, have confessed to their inability to break the will of Islamic Iran," he added.

General Abdollahi said the rallies are the fulfillment of a promise made by the late Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who he said had predicted such an awakening in his final days before the war.

"Today, this divine promise has been embodied in the form of a nation that is awake, united, resistant and ready to defend the dignity and independence of Islamic Iran," the statement read.

The commander said the rallies demonstrate that Iran's security and power rely not only on military equipment but on "the great popular support, revolutionary faith and the unbreakable bond between the nation, the leadership and the armed forces."

He called on Iranians to continue their nightly presence until the new leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, determines otherwise.

The rallies have drawn millions of people across the country — from Tehran to Birjand to Tabriz — who gather in major squares each night, waving Iranian flags and chanting against the United States and Israel.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Tuesday hailed the Iranian nation for the popular show of force.

"100 days have passed since the jihad of a nation that rose up to preserve dear Iran. God's blessings be upon you who had Iran's back, disappointed the enemy, and pulled the country out of the jaws of ravenous wolves that had sharpened their teeth to force Islamic Iran into submission," he wrote.

‘You pulled Iran out of wolves’ jaws’: Qalibaf hails nation for nightly rallies

Iran

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said this week that the 100 days since the Leader's martyrdom have demonstrated that "the enemy has plotted, but the people have persevered".

"The message of these 100 days is clear, both for friends and enemies of Iran," Aref said. "Iran was in mourning, but did not sink into despair. The enemy conspired, but the people persevered."

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) also praised religious eulogists, poets and artists for their role during the rallies, describing them as a "divine mission that astonished the world and compelled arrogant bullies to submit to the will of a perceptive and resilient nation".

In Tehran, crowds gather nightly at Enghelab-e-Eslami Roundabout and other major squares, with participants vowing not to leave the streets until they ensure that enemies will not repeat the terrorist assassinations.

Abdollahi said in his message that the rallies will be recorded in Iran's history as a symbol of the "nation's resurrection, revolutionary renewal and the display of the Iranian people's invincible will."

"Peace and blessings of God be upon the great nation of Iran, upon the honorable families of martyrs, veterans and the self-sacrificing, and upon the brave warriors of the armed forces and the wise leader of the Islamic Revolution," the general said.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir