Iranians mark revolution, defy nuclear pressure

Tens of thousands of Iranians rallied on Monday to mark the 29th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, in a show of defiance of Western pressure on Iran to suspend its disputed nuclear programme.

Almost three decades after the revolution, women in head-to-toe black chador and men shouted "Death to America", the ritual chant of the 1979 revolution which toppled the

U.S.-backed Shah and swept the Shi'ite Muslim clergy to power.

Iranian officials had called on people to turn out in large numbers to show their unity in the face of Western pressure.

State television broadcast live footage of major rallies held in other cities.

The West fears Tehran is covertly trying to obtain nuclear bombs. The Islam Republic says it needs nuclear technology to meet its booming electricity demand.

"With this rally, Western countries will understand that they cannot impose their will on us and they see that we back our leader and government," Ali Salmani, 17, told Reuters in Tehran.