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Recalling revolution, Iranians chant ‘Death to Israel,’ ‘Down with US’ at anniversary rallies

The government in Iran holds annual celebrations surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution takeover of the American embassy in Tehran.

An anti-Israel demonstration in Iran. Photo by Ali Khara/Fars News Agency.
An anti-Israel demonstration in Iran. Photo by Ali Khara/Fars News Agency.

During a rally to mark 39 years since Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran—taking 52 Americans hostage for 44 days—a crowd of thousands of Iranians rallied, chanting “Down with the US” and “Death to Israel.”

According to Iranian state TV, similar demonstrations to celebrate the 1979 Islamic Revolution takeover of the American embassy took place in other Iranian cities and towns.

The Islamic-led government in Iran holds annual celebrations surrounding the takeover. The building that once housed the embassy is now a cultural center.

On Friday, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced the renewal of sanctions on Iranian shipping, financial and energy sectors.

“This political environment could discourage congressional committee staff and federal agency personnel from pursuing investigations or enforcement actions involving antisemitism,” Karen Paikin Barall of the Brandeis Center told JNS.
“They get social credit within their political bases in terms of talking about settler violence and and taking up the side of the Palestinians on issues between them and Israel,” Rafael Mangual of the Manhattan Institute told JNS.
The U.S. envoy also said antisemitism “didn’t exist” during his upbringing and warned of an unintended clash between Israel and Turkey.
“There is not, and there will not be, a Palestinian state,” the Israeli prime minister pledged. He also called for the corruption trial against him to be dropped.