0
'Death to America,' Massive Protests Held in Iranian CitiesProtesters were undeterred despite the prospect of massive economic sanctions relief due to an imminent agreement with the US.
Tens of thousands of protesters in Tehran and cities across Iran Friday chanted “Death to America” in the Islamic republic’s annual Quds (Jerusalem) Day demonstration.
Even in stifling heat approaching 100 degrees (38 Celcius), the crowds were undeterred. Participants in the demonstrations included President Hasan Rouhani, his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, his
brother Sadeq, head of the judiciary branch of the government, General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, commander of the ground forces of the Iranian army and General Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Saudi Arabia was added to the equation this year, as entire families joined the protest and screamed “Down with U.S., Israel and the House of Saud.”
Posters with pictures of U.S. President Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi King Salman were torched as well as an effigies of the Islamic State ( labeled “Saudi’s doll,”) and effigies of the devil wrapped in American and Israel flags.
The Iranian government facilitated participation in the demonstration in Tehran by bussing in participants and making travel on the subway free for the day.
The demonstration has been held every year against the State of Israel since the Islamic takeover of Iran in 1979.
Bookmarks