Iran revolution rallies highlight unrest and U.S. tensions (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Iran is staging mass pro-government rallies to mark 47 years since the Islamic Revolution. It comes, of course, just weeks after the regime killed thousands of anti-government protesters. But addressing the crowds today, the country's president, while denouncing Iran's enemies, also apologized for government failings. It all comes as Donald Trump hosted Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. After the meeting, the U.S. president said in a social media post that talks with Iran over its nuclear program would continue. Lise Doucette is in the capital, Tehran, and allowed to report on condition none of her material is used on the BBC's Persian service, a restriction that applies to all international media organizations operating inside the country.

[00:00:48] Speaker 2: Today, a surge through the main artery in the heart of Tehran and across this country, the loyal foot soldiers of the Islamic Republic. Death to America, death to Israel, its signature slogans. And from the president, an accusation that America and Europe had incited the recent protests he called riots. But he had a different message for Iranians calling for an end to a painful economic crisis.

[00:01:25] Speaker 3: I apologize to our noble people for our shortcomings. We in the government are making every effort with all our strength to resolve all these problems.

[00:01:38] Speaker 2: Today, a public holiday also helped families forget some of their daily woes. This woman tells me the revolution brought a new life for her, for Iran, for the entire world. I ask her about the protests.

[00:01:57] Speaker 4: There were protesters who were dissatisfied with the economic situation, and I recognize that. But there were rioters, too, who brought chaos, and they were supported from outside our borders.

[00:02:10] Speaker 2: This is the government's reply to the calls for change last month, which filled many streets and squares. But Iran now is at a crossroads. This is much bigger than a battle of the streets. Iran's clerical rule now face the most serious challenge since their Islamic revolution of 1979. And it's a perilous moment in its long standoff with America. We went to the former embassy, now a monument to distrust. Going back to the 1979 hostage crisis, dozens taken captive. The manager shows us what's now called the Den of Espionage Museum. I asked whether diplomacy had any chance of success.

[00:02:59] Speaker 5: If the U.S. is really honest and observes the rights of the people and the country, why not? I believe and I'm 100 percent sure that they can reach a deal.

[00:03:12] Speaker 2: A show of strength on the day the immediate threat of U.S. military strikes seems to have eased. But that risk remains if a surge in diplomacy fails. Lise Doucette, BBC News, Tehran.