Several “downed Israeli drones” were among the military hardware on show during Iran’s anniversary celebrations for the Islamic Revolution on Wednesday, according to state media in Iran.
A number of Israeli drones shot down by Iran during the 12-day war in June 2025 “have been put on display at Tehran’s Azadi (Liberty) Square,” according to state-aligned Tasnim News.
There was also on display a number of Iranian cruise and ballistic missiles, including the Soumar, Noor, and Qadir cruise missiles, as well as the Haj Qassem, Emad, and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles.
The display was just a small part of the nationwide celebrations marking 47 years since the fall of the Shah and the rise of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
“Extensive arrangements” were made for mass rallies across the country, beginning simultaneously at 9:30 a.m., with more than 200 foreign journalists allegedly covering the events.
However, even as the Islamic Republic regime painted the celebrations as a successful endorsement of the republic itself, protests continued throughout Tuesday night across Iran.
Iran’s anniversary display includes Israeli drones from 12-day war
Videos from cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, and Kermanshah show protesters shouting slogans, including in support of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and “down with the dictator” in reference to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a televised message Monday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the date as the day the “power and dignity of the Iranian nation are unveiled every year,” calling the rallies “unparalleled in the world.”
According to the latest verified aggregated data from HRANA, covering the first 45 days since the start of the protests, 676 protest-related incidents were recorded across 210 cities in all 31 provinces. HRANA’s figures put the confirmed death toll at 6,984, including 6,490 protesters.
The data also recorded 215 fatalities of children under 18, as well as 214 deaths among government-affiliated forces and 65 non-protester civilian deaths. HRANA reported 18,022 civilian injuries, 52,623 arrests, 135 student arrests, 335 forced confessions, and 11,051 summonses, with 11,730 cases still under review.
Ahead of the anniversary of the revolution, the day which saw the end of his family’s reign in Iran, Pahlavi posted a message to supporters, stating, “Have faith in your victory. Have faith in our collective strength.
Know that this time, the world will stand with you and support your freedom.
Hand in hand, we will move forward and defeat the enemy.
Victory is yours. Long live Iran.”