Posted on 11/04/2014 7:50:38 AM PST by Dave346
Thousands of Iranians chanted “Down with America” at a major anti-U.S. rally on Tuesday marking the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, just days ahead of a key meeting between the two nations’ top diplomats over Iran’s controversial nuclear program.
The gathering outside the former embassy compound in Tehran, which has become the annual venue for rallies commemorating the embassy attack and other American-bashing protests, was smaller compared to last year’s event, which drew tens of thousands – a sign of improved Iran-U.S. relations since moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took office last year.
But the rally, organized annually by hard-liners, still puts pressure on Rouhani, whose policy of outreach to Washington has faced harsh criticism from opponents at home.
Many in the crowd chanted “Death to Israel” and “Death to Britain,” neither of which has an embassy here. Several protesters burned the American, Israeli and the British flag.
Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran 35 years ago, militant Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in 1979, claiming it was a center of plots against the Persian nation, and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Ties between the two countries were severed after the siege and formal relations have not been restored since.
The anti-U.S. gathering this year also had a religious character as most Shiites world over on Tuesday observed the Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th-century death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad revered by Shiites.
One of the rally speakers, cleric and university professor Ali Reza Panahian compared the U.S. to enemies Hussein faced in his final battle in Karbala in present-day Iraq.
“Today, the evil arrogant powers have learned that they should not attempt to thwart us in the same way that enemies of Hussein encircled him,”
(Excerpt) Read more at washington.cbslocal.com ...
I wonder if Obama is in that crowd.
Rouhani is moderate, it says here. That’s nice.
Islam. Celebrating centuries of failure.
Two minions of Satan.
What’s the difference between a radical muslim and a moderate muslim?
The moderate muslim holds a trial before he murders you.
Yawn.
Islam is all the more chic to the progressive fascists, because it exudes hatred for the individuality and accomplishment of Americanism.
Well, least we know they aren’t voting today.
militant Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in 1979, claiming it was a center of plots against the Persian nation, and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days
They were led by Madman Imashithead, former president of Iran, according to the Hostages Themselves.
Well, it is a step up from "Death to America".
I say that we take advantage of this softening of the rhetoric to normalize relations, provide millions in foreign aid and help them with their nuclear program.
The biggest mistake liberals make is giving a s**t what Iran thinks.
screw them
31st MAU USS OKINAWA LPH-3 vet
add me to Gonzo Station ping list please, anyone from MODLOCK!
Good thing the world is now at peace, oceans receding, and all that nonsense.
Maybe not Obama, but his puppeteer, ValJar, was there in spirit.
Wait...Anthony Bourdain said that Iran loves America!
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