Tehran  - Iran on Sunday celebrated the 30th anniversary of the 1979 revolution by paying tribute to the late supreme leader and architect of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

At the beginning of the festivities, which were this year held one day earlier due to the Persian leap year, current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visited the shrine of his predecessor as well as the graves of martyrs of the Islamic revolution and the 1980-88 war against Iraq.

Khamenei, who according to constitution has the final say on all state affairs, vowed to continue the Khomeini's legacy.

Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran February 1, 1979 after 15 years in political exile and 10 days later toppled the 2,500-year-old monarchy. He declared the formation of the Islamic Republic which has since become a major political challenge for the West.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also visited Khomeini's shrine and said the Islamic revolution was still alive and that its spirit would continue until justice ruled the world.

Referring to the influence of the Islamic system in other Muslim states, he added that Iran's revolution was not only limited to Iranian borders.

The celebrations will culminate February 10 with state-organized rallies throughout the country and a speech by Ahmadinejad in Tehran's Azadi Square. dpa