UPDATED ON:
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
06:40 Mecca time, 03:40 GMT
 
News Middle East
Iranians hold anti-US protest
Relations between Tehran and Washington continue to deteriorate over Iran's nuclear programme [AFP]

Thousands of Iranians have rallied outside the US embassy in Tehran to mark the 29th anniversary of the compound's seizure during the Islamic revolution in 1979.

The demonstrators, mainly schoolchildren, chanted "Death to America!" outside the embassy on Monday, and set alight US and Israeli flags.

The rally appeared less crowded than in previous years.

"We will not get on with America even for a moment," read one placard carried by demonstrators standing in the rain outside the embassy, labelled the "Den of Spies" in central Tehran, the Iranian capital.

"Iranian people regard America as the Great Satan and the main instigator of wars and insecurity in the world," said a declaration read out at the rally.

Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations for nearly three decades since students took American diplomats hostage  for 444 days following the 1979 Islamic revolution which toppled the US-backed shah.
  
The embassy compound, now run by Iran's  Revolutionary Guards, is used as an educational centre with occasional exhibitions about the "crimes" of the United States.
  
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said last week that the hatred of Washington was deep-seated and praised the students who had taken over embassy.

'Arrogant attitude'
  
"Besides, they [the United States] have not apologised yet and rather keep on with their arrogant attitude," Khamenei said.
  
Tensions have mounted over Iran's nuclear programme which many  Western countries believe is a cover for ambitions to build atomic  weapons - an allegation denied by Tehran.
  
How to deal with Iran has been one of the major foreign policy issues in the US presidential elections.

Washington has so far pushed for tougher sanctions and has never ruled out a military option to thwart Iran's nuclear drive.

 Source: Agencies
Feedback Number of comments : 16
 
umer
Pakistan
03/11/2008
Support Iran
We (the people) in Pakistan support Iran for its stand against imperialism. Death to America is what they say and so do we .....

Poyan Nahrvar
Canada
03/11/2008
Background of conflict - All the Shahs Men
I have never seen any news organization explain the background of the embassy seizure and hostility. In 1979, the Iranian students correctly stated that the embassy was the headquarters of the CIA. In 1953, the CIA, using the embassy as its base, overthrow the democratically elected government of Dr. Mossadeq and installed the brutal Shah. This information was declassified in 2003. Madeline Albright went as far as calling the operation a "mistake", but refused to apologize.

muussaa
Japan
03/11/2008
Iranti US
I agree that US CIA not the people we must stress that People may be stupid to elect Bush but they have been severely bullied indoctrinated.I have a respect for people but not Governments they are corrupt and say Iran should not have weapons If I was Iran I would say we are having Nuclear weapons because US and other countries have and we have to defend ourselves why does US have them same thing. who started this?what is good for the goose is good for the gander. long live Iranian anti US.

fray
Indonesia
04/11/2008
not only iran
not only in iran but in indonesia,vast majority of its people-98%, are sick of US policy to death

Julie
United States
04/11/2008
Iran
While this article address the usual government sponsored anti-American sentiment, it is NOT what I experienced during my recent travels to Iran. The Iranians were extremely hospitable and welcoming and truly genuine in their expression of love for Americans. It's our governments that need to work on their negotiation skills. I hope our relationship with Iran will change with the new administration.

Sam
Canada
04/11/2008
Nuclear Power
It amazing how in the USA , the President has a dedicated employee from the army to hold his special briefcase , which in fact goes everywhere he dose, and has access to send a nuke to any part of the world from anywhere in the world. But lets keep in mind , the United States are the only people allowed to do this, and beware if you plan to do the same !!!!

Eric
United States
04/11/2008
Schoolchildren
This just shows the priorities of Iran...obviously these schoolchildren have been indoctrinated with the hate of their leaders. What a wonderful legacy hate is. They should be more focused on their leaders who care more about "Death to America" then they do their own people.

J.
United States
04/11/2008
I wonder why
Who are these people... I mean really, they are celebrating the kidnapping of civilians. You cannot burn flags and preach peace in the same breath, it just makes you look like a hypocrite. It's no wonder that Iran is isolated from most of the civilized world.

Larry
United States
04/11/2008
Iranians hold anti-US rally
Having schoolchildren chanting "Death to America" in a government sponsored demonstration is a disgusting display of hate. This hate will be institutionalized into the next generation of Iranians. This whole concept is very alien to someone living in the U.S. A discussion of policy differences is one thing, but this is something very dangerous. An open dialogue is impossible when you are blinded by hate. I am surprised that others do not find this behavior disgusting.

Kymm
Canada
04/11/2008
Iranians hold anti-US protest
First Iraq, now Iran. It is obvious that the US has one goal and that is global domination. What happened to SOVEREIGNTY?

Bob
United States
06/11/2008
US GLOBAL DOMINATION
Oh Kymm in CANADA if the US wants world domination why would we want Iran when we could take CANADA? Just kidding...

Tom
Afghanistan
07/11/2008
what is this??
I am 60 years old and spent 30 years in the military, traveled in 40 countries, in 4 continents, and 45 of our 50 states and have never seen a single demonstration or rally in which Americans chanted death to anyone. There is something sick about a culture where people are encouraged to hate and the government promotes that hated. Come to the US and see if you can find a single bill board condemning any people or nation. By the way, my doctor is Iranian and glad to be OUT of Iran.

PJA
United States
07/11/2008
Anti-US Rallies
Thanks to the CIA effort led by Kermit Roosevelt uder the Eisenhower administration Iran has become what it is today. How can one not undertand their hatred for the United States? In regard to attacking their schoolchildrens anti-US views one should look at the history we teach in the United States. We justify imperilaism in the American classroom as Manifest Destiny, the Indian Wars, Big Stick Diplomacy, containment, and now counter-terrorism. I dream to see peace in the Middle East one day...

Ayub
Afghanistan
07/11/2008
Practice what you preach:
To J & Larry:Have you read your own didtorted history lately?From slavery to KKK,segragation black and white communities,need i say more.You talk about hate as if you are some sort of peace promoting monk.If given the chance and tools you two would be the first to shoot these students who protested against US policies.You two would probably find new ways to torture these students in your own backyards.I have seen US kids torture pets and the US soldiers are doing the same in Afghanistan & Iraq..

Todd
United States
07/11/2008
How about Canada?
Hummmm!!! What a great idea. We could take Canada and Mexico also.(WE would then get all their oil and gas).

Kymm
Canada
11/11/2008
Iranians hold anti-US protest
Bob and Todd: you already have Canada

 
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