Tasnim � Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi called for high turnout in the upcoming rallies due to be held across the country to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution�s victory and in the elections later this month.

�All of the (Iranian) people should regard participation in the 22 Bahman (February 11) rallies and the elections as their religious duty,� Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi said in a speech in the central city of Qom on Sunday.

He further emphasized that low turnout in the rallies and the elections will convince the enemies to increase sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

�The enemies have hatched plots against the people and the country,� the top cleric said.

With the massive presence of the people in the rallies to mark the revolution anniversary and in the elections, their plots will be thwarted, he added.

Iran is going to hold the parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections on February 21.

Nationwide rallies are also slated to be held on Tuesday to mark the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

The Iranian nation toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime 41 years ago, on February 11, 1979, ending 2,500 years of monarchic rule in the country.

The Islamic Revolution, led by Imam Khomeini, established a new political system based on Islamic values and democracy.

Every year, Iranians mark the anniversary of their Islamic Revolution from February 1 to 11, known as the Ten-Day Fajr (Dawn) ceremonies.

February 1, 1979, was the date when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile in Paris to Tehran.