Iran's National Day Against Global Arrogance
From IRNA
Rallies marking this year's National Day Against
Global Arrogance, an
Iranian tradition since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, started
here Saturday from different parts of the capital.People from all walks of life converged at the site of the former US embassy in Tehran, better known in Iranian history as the "Den of Spies."
November 4 holds great significance in Iranian history because of three decisive events: the take-over of the former US embassy in Tehran by Muslim students following the Imam's line (1979), the exile of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini by the ex-shah (1964) and the declaration of the day as Students Day (in remembrance of several students martyred in 1978 while taking part in a protest rally against the former shah).
Ralliers, including groups of school and university students, shouted slogans against the occupying regime of Qods and the United States as they marched through Tehran's streets.
Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said here Saturday that the United States failed to grasp lessons from the take-over of its embassy in Tehran on Nov 4, 1979 (13th of Aban, 1358) by Muslim students following the line of Imam Khomeini.
Haddad-Adel's remarks came as he addressed rallies held all over the country today marking the take-over of the embassy in Tehran 27 years ago.
"The US should know that sanctions and threats will have no effect on the Iranian nation's will.
"The Iranian nation is ready to pay for its independence," the speaker said.
He urged Washington to change its policies, saying it (US) has "no option but to change its policies and treat other states wisely and realistically instead of through bullying and interference." "If the US Administration does not change its path, it will always incite hatred against it."
More
missiles
Iran has announced on Saturday (4th November) it had successfully test-fired new armour-piercing weaponry and an anti-helicopter missile system on the third day of its latest war games.
"The new generation of anti-helicopter and anti-armour weapons were successfully tested on day three of the manoeuvres," an announcer on state television said as pictures of the test-firing were broadcast Saturday.
In the "Great Prophet II" war games, due to last 10 days, Iran has so far fired its Shahab-3 longer range missile for the first time in manoeuvres as well as new types of land-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles.
The armour-piercing weapons tested Saturday include a rifle equipped with special sights that can identify an enemy seven kilometres (four miles) away and can penetrate a target wearing a bullet-resistant vest from a distance of three kilometres (one-and-a-half miles).
The other new anti-armour weapon tested was a system aimed at penetrating the armour plate of tanks that "can be carried by a person, with high accuracy, high speed and high explosive power".
"The bullet of this system penetrates the armoured equipment and then explodes," state television said.
The anti-helicopter weaponry was described as highly portable and accurate. Four anti-helicopter missiles can be fired from each system.
"The anti-helicopter weapon can hit helicopters in different circumstances," the television added.
"The anti-armour weapon has the ability to penetrate different kinds of advanced bullet-armour vests" as well as the armoured exterior of tanks, it said.
The war games come against a backdrop of rising international tension over Iran's nuclear programme, with the United States leading a drive for UN sanctions against Tehran over its failure to suspend uranium enrichment.
They also coincide with manoeuvres by a US-led naval force in the Gulf off Iran in a test of capabilities to halt trafficking in weapons of mass destruction, the first time such an excercise has been held in the area.
The head of the Iranian parliament's security commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, on Saturday lashed out at the US-led manoeuvres, which he said would increase tension in the region.
"The imperialist countries like the United States are here with bad intentions. They are unwanted guests whose presence is a source of instability and trouble in the region," he said according to the IRNA agency.
See also:
Iran's war
Iran's nuclear defiance
Act now to contain and deter Iran