Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (Photo: VNA)

The celebrations come just weeks after protests called for changes in government policy. Rouhani said he wants the 40th year of the revolution to be a year of unity, stressing that conservatives should not block reformist candidates from future elections and should trust the people more. He said the region, led by Iran, has foiled the US’s attempts over the years to divide the people of Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.