Iranian protesters stage anti-America rally
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Tens of thousands of demonstrators packed the streets yesterday outside the former US Embassy in Tehran in the biggest anti-American rally in years, a show of support for opponents of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s historic outreach to Washington.
Such protests occur every year outside the former embassy compound to mark the anniversary of the 1979 takeover following the Islamic Revolution. But the latest demonstration is the largest in years. Groups such as the powerful Revolutionary Guard called for a major showing and some demonstrators chanted “death to America,” which some of Rouhani’s backers have urged halted.
The crowds also sent a message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has cautiously backed Rouhani’s overtures to the US and efforts to end the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Ties between the two countries were severed after the US embassy siege, which began a hostage crisis with 52 people held for 444 days.
Opponents of better relations with the US say they will not back down, opening the prospect of deeper internal rifts and tensions that could put pressure on Khamenei to reconsider backing Rouhani’s exchanges with the US.
In September, Rouhani accepted a call from US President Barack Obama following the annual UN General Assembly in New York, where US Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with Iran’s foreign minister.
Critics of the dialogue made their views immediately known, hurling insults and eggs at Rouhani’s entourage upon their return from New York. Late last month, huge banners appeared around Tehran depicting the US as a sinister and deceitful adversary that seeks to weaken Iran. Tehran officials ordered the signs removed, but they appeared in poster form at the demonstration yesterday.
Protesters also stomped on images of Obama and the US flag. Others carried well-known banners reading “We trample America under our feet” and “The US is the Great Satan.” One image showed Obama in a wrestling uniform with Star of David earrings, symbolizing Israel.
On Sunday, Khamenei appeared to chide hard-liners by denouncing any attempts to undermine Iran’s nuclear negotiators. Talks with world powers are scheduled to resume on Thursday in Geneva.
Diplomats “are on a difficult mission and nobody should weaken those who are on assignment,” the official IRNA news agency quoted Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state, as saying.
Iran seeks to have economic sanctions eased in exchange for concessions in its nuclear program. The West fears Iran’s uranium enrichment could eventually produce weapons-grade material. Iran insists it only seeks reactors for energy and medical applications.
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