Day out at the BBC’s family festival in Iran

I love me a family festival.

On February 11, 2026, a celebration was thrown for the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The vibe was stellar, according to BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet.

“There was a festival air on this public holiday as families marched and meandered in a warm winter’s sun,” she said.

Just one day before, Lyse, BBC Persian listed the weapons used on Iranian protesters the previous month. Machine guns, sniper rifles, assault rifles, shotguns, tear gas, machetes and knives, to list a few. A weapons expert confirmed some of the ammunition used “is intended to defeat structures, vehicles and hardened targets”. Using such a weapon on a human, said this expert, “would be catastrophic”.

At the Islamic Republic’s annual celebration of its subjection of Iran, you said, “Here in Tehran, it feels like a family festival.”