Female demonstrators wave Iranian flags, as a picture of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is held at center, during a rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, at the Azadi (freedom) Square in Tehran on Thursday. Many thousands of pro-government demonstrators gathered in the central square of Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the US-backed late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Vahid Salemi / AP Photo
Demonstrators walk toward Azadi square to take part in a ceremony to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
Hossein Zohrevand, Far News / Reuters
Ahmadinejad speaks during the ceremony on Thursday.
Raheb Homavandi / Reuters
Police hold back the crowd as Ahmadinejad speaks.
Caren Firouz / Reuters
An Iranian woman gestures during the ceremony.
Raheb Homavandi / Reuters
Escorted by his bodyguards, Ahmadinejad greets well wishers.
Vahid Salem / AP Photo
Pro-government Iranian demonstrators attended the rally.
Vahid Salemi / AP Photo
