Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Islamic Republic, targeted by tougher Western sanctions, will soon announce advances in its nuclear programme.

He was speaking on the 33rd anniversary of the revolution that toppled the US-backed Shah. Thousands of Iranians rallied to mark the occasion, carrying Iranian flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has said its nuclear research has only peaceful purposes. The US and Israel, which Iran does not recognise, have not ruled out military action if sanctions fail.