Iran celebrates anniversary of its revolution
Newshour
BBC
4.2 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 11 February 2026
⏱️ 44 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This year's anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran hides a deep pain after thousands of protestors were killed by regime forces.
The BBC has been speaking to people on the streets of Tehran about the current situation and we'll hear what's going on with the talks between Iran and the United States.
Also in this programme: A small town in southern Canada reels from one of the deadliest shootings in the country's history; what reports that Ukraine is to hold elections this spring could mean for the country, four years after Russia full-scale invasion; and how biohacking is becoming big business.
(Photo shows Iranians taking part in celebrations to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran on 11 February 2026. Credit: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA)
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:09.0 | Hello and welcome to NewsHour live from the BBC World Service in London. |
| 0:13.9 | I'm Rebecca Kesb. |
| 0:15.7 | It's 47 years since the Islamic Revolution in Iran. |
| 0:19.7 | Months of unrest led to the overthrow of the monarch, |
| 0:22.8 | the Shah, and the rise of the new Islamic Republic, ruled by a radical cleric Ayatollah Khomey. |
| 0:29.8 | Today, just a month after nationwide mass protests against the government and the brutal put down, |
| 0:35.9 | which is thought to have killed around 7,000. |
| 0:38.9 | People are on the streets of Tehran again to mark the anniversary, |
| 0:43.1 | but this time chanting in favour of the regime and against the old perceived enemy. The cheerleader there, the cheerleader there guiding the crowd, |
| 1:00.7 | chanting the slogan of every student, death to America, |
| 1:04.2 | the slogan of every Iranian, death to America. |
| 1:07.3 | Well, President Massoud Pazewski |
| 1:09.7 | and addressed a rally in central Tehran today and said the Islamic Republic was still the best option for Iran. |
| 1:19.6 | As the head of the government, I apologise to the noble people for the shortcomings that exist. |
| 1:25.7 | Despite these shortcomings and deficiencies, |
| 1:28.5 | we and the government are making every effort, |
| 1:31.0 | with all our strength, |
| 1:32.3 | to resolve these problems firmly and resolutely. |
| 1:36.0 | And, by God's power, |
| 1:38.1 | under the wise leadership of the supreme leader, |
| 1:40.8 | we will do so. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.