On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued amnesties to a large number of prisoners, including some arrested in recent anti-government protests.
Rights group HRANA said dozens of political prisoners and protesters, including several prominent figures, had been freed under amnesty, but the exact status of their release was not known.
Rights activists have expressed concern on social media that many may be forced to sign pledges not to repeat their “crimes” before being released. The judiciary denied this on Friday.
HRANA said that as of Friday, 528 protesters had been killed, including 71 minors. It said that 70 government security forces were also killed. 19,763 protesters are believed to have been arrested.
Iranian leaders and state media had appealed for a strong turnout at Saturday’s rallies as a show of solidarity and popularity in an apparent response to the protests.
On the eve of the anniversary on Friday night, state media showed fireworks as part of government-sponsored celebrations, and people chanting “Allahu Akbar! (God is greatest!)”. However, to many people “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic” on videos posted on social media.
Reuters could not independently verify the social media posts.
State television aired live footage of state rallies across the country on Saturday.
In Tehran, domestically-made anti-ballistic missiles, a drone, an anti-submarine cruiser and other military equipment were displayed as part of the ceremony.
“People have realized that the enemy’s problem is not women, life or freedom,” Raisi said in a live televised speech, referring to protesters’ signature slogans in Tehran’s Azadi Square.
“Rather, they want to take away our freedom,” he said.
His speech was frequently interrupted by chants of “Death to America” – a trademark slogan at state rallies. The crowd also chanted “Death to Israel”.