AKIPRESS.COM - Iranians began a nationwide celebration Friday to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the 1979 revolution with rallies around the country, reports the Associated Press.

Demonstrators in Tehran chanted traditional slogans against the U.S. and Israel. The rallies come at a time when new U.S. President Donald Trump has already engaged in a war of words with Iran's leadership and put Tehran "on notice" over a recent ballistic missile test.

Among other places, hundreds of thousands demonstrators marched toward Azadi Square, where President Hassan Rouhani addressed the crowd. He called the new U.S. administration "a problem" and said Iran will strongly answer any threat from its enemies.

"All of them should know that they must talk to the Iranian nation with respect and dignity," Rouhani urged the world. "Our nation will strongly answer to any threat. (Iranians) will resist before enemies until the end."

Rouhani called Iran the home of "lions" but said the country does not seek hostility. "We are not after tensions in the region and the world," he said. "We are united before bullying and any threat."