TEHRAN - Iranians on Friday commemorated the 52nd anniversary of an uprising against the U.S.-backed monarchical regime of Pahlavi, which took place on June 5, 1963 (15th of Khordad of 1342 in Iranian calendar).

The event, which marks a prelude to the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, saw a massive crowd of people taking to the streets to protest against the arrest of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini by the Pahlavi regime’s security forces.

A large number of people were killed by the police and the military during the violent crackdown on protesters in different cities.

Imam Khomeini had been arrested for his outspoken remarks against the ruling Shah and the U.S.

Iranians mark the event annually since the victory of the Islamic Revolution. The occasion, which falls on June 5th this year, is a national holiday in Iran.

MD/S