Iran supreme leader lauds state rally, warns West

Pro-government Iranian demonstrators hold posters of late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, right, and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and anti-US placards during a rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution at the Azadi (freedom) Sq. in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: AP.

Iran’s supreme leader has praised the massive turnout at the government-backed rally marking the 1979 Islamic Revolution and warned the West to stop putting obstacles in his country’s path.

State Press TV reported on Friday that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei thanked the “tens of millions” who showed up on the anniversary.

Mr. Khamenei says the gathering reflected the nation’s strength and that it’s time for “foreign enemies to wake up and abandon futile efforts to subjugate” Iran.

The statement was posted on Mr. Khamenei’s Web site late Thursday, hours after the state-organized rally dwarfed opposition gatherings across Tehran.

Police clashed with anti-government protesters in several locations, firing tear gas to disperse them and paintballs to mark them for arrest.