TEHRAN, Iran — 1000’s of Iranians gathered on the streets Saturday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, chanting “Demise to America” and “Demise to Israel.” They condemned Washington’s help of Israel because it strikes the Gaza Strip in its conflict towards Hamas.
The rally — which was referred to as for by the state — got here because the Israel-Hamas conflict entered its fourth week. About 1,400 individuals in Israel had been killed and over 240 taken hostage after Hamas’ shock assault on Oct.7. The Israeli retaliatory operation has killed over 9,000 individuals within the Gaza Strip.
Folks assembled exterior the previous U.S. Embassy in Tehran, with some burning American and Israeli flags.
Protesters stomped on pictures of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden. Others carried banners calling the U.S., “Nice Devil.” The banner on the primary podium learn: “We trample America beneath our toes.”
Parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, addressed the crowds whereas criticizing U.S. help of Israel. “We think about the legal U.S. a principal perpetrator in all these crimes,” in Gaza and towards Palestinians, he stated.
Qalibaf claimed that the Hamas assault on Israel has prompted “irreparable” intelligence and safety harm to the Israeli state.
In an announcement printed on behalf of the protesters on the finish of the commemoration, they referred to as for an “quick cease-fire” in Gaza and warned the U.S., Britain, and France that the disaster may develop within the area. The assertion ended with a vow that Iranians would stand by Palestine “till last victory.”
The demonstration started in Palestine Sq. in central Tehran. Protesters walked for practically two kilometers (1.32 miles) until they reached the previous U.S. Embassy compound. State TV confirmed footage of comparable rallies in different Iranian cities and cities.
The annual rally is a venue for anti-Western sentiments and normally attracts indignant crowds.
On Wednesday, Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the U.S. for its help of Israel, saying Israel would have been paralyzed with out American help.
He referred to as for an finish to the Israel-Hamas conflict and for Muslim-majority nations to halt financial cooperation with the Jewish state.
Iran is a recognized backer of anti-Israeli militant teams such because the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad in addition to the Lebanese Hezbollah.