Anti-US sentiments resurface as Iranians mark anniversary of embassy seizure

Tens of thousands of Iranians held nationwide demonstrations on Thursday to mark the 37th anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran, a continuation of their decades-long protests against the United States.


Since the 1979 takeover of the US mission by Iranian students, which followed the overthrow of the US-backed Shah dynasty in Iran, Iranians have been marking the occasion every year by holding rallies on the anniversary dubbed as "National Day against the Global Arrogance."

The occasion this year attracted the attention of foreign media as it followed the implementation of a deal clinched between Iran and world powers to solve the decade-long Iranian nuclear issue.

On Thursday, demonstrators gathered outside the former US embassy in central Tehran, now called "den of espionage," carrying placards denouncing the "arrogant powers" and shouting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.

In 2013, the election of Hassan Rouhani as the Iranian president signalled the thaw of relations with the United States, but observers say hardliners in Iran are pushing to heighten anti-US sentiments by insisting on the slogan of "Death to America" at different gatherings, criticizing Rouhani for reaching out to Washington and the West in general to solve the country's nuclear issue and economic problems.

Also on Thursday, a senior commander from Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that if the United States fails to adhere to last year's nuclear deal, Iran will reconsider its obligations.
 [Xinhua/globaltimes.cn]
4/11/16