Ahmadinejad says 'world to witness Iran's announcement of very major nuclear achievements' in coming days as country marks anniversary of 1979 Islamic Revolution.

ran's state TV is showing tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators rallying across the country to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday the Islamic state would soon announce "very important" achievements in the nuclear field, state TV reported.

"In the coming days the world will witness Iran's announcement of its very important and very major nuclear achievements," Ahmadinejad said in a speech, broadcast live on state television.

A real-size model of the United States drone RQ-170 Sentinel, captured by Iran in December near the border with Afghanistan, is on display at the rally in Tehran's famous Azadi, or Freedom, square.

Iran has touted the drone's capture as one of its chief successes against the West. The TV report says the drone is a "symbol of power" of the Iranian armed forces "against the global arrogance" of the US.

The 1979 revolution toppled Iran's pro-west monarchy and brought Islamic clerics to power.

On Friday, Iran reaffirmed its support of the Palestinian resistance against Israel, the presidency website cited First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi as telling visiting Hamas prime minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh.

Haniyeh arrived in Tehran on Friday for a three-day visit, and is due to speak at a Saturday rally marking the 33rd anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iranian media reported.

"Iran will not retreat one iota from its position on defending the rights of the Palestinian people," Rahimi was quoted as saying, adding that Tehran "will use everything at its disposal to support the oppressed Palestinians.

"Soon the Zionist regime will be punished for its plots and aggression," Rahimi said, adding: "The Palestinian issue is a red line for us."

The presidency website reported that Haniyeh "congratulated Iran on the 33rd anniversary of the triumph of the Islamic revolution," and "thanked Tehran's brave stance on the Palestinian issue."