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 “Loss of life to America” and “Loss of life to Israel.” They condemned Washington’s help of Israel because it strikes the Gaza Strip in its struggle in opposition to Hamas.
The rally — which was referred to as for by the state — got here because the Israel-Hamas struggle entered its fourth week. About 1,400 folks 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 folks within the Gaza Strip.
Folks assembled outdoors the previous U.S. Embassy in Tehran, with some burning American and Israeli flags.
Protesters stomped on photos 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 below our toes.”
The parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, addressed the crowds whereas criticizing U.S. help of Israel.
“We take into account the felony U.S. a principal offender in all these crimes,” in Gaza and in opposition to Palestinians, he mentioned.
Qalibaf claimed that the Hamas assault on Israel has brought on “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 “speedy cease-fire” in Gaza and warned the U.S., Britain, and France that the disaster would possibly develop within the area. The assertion ended with a vow that Iranians would stand by Palestine “till closing victory.”
The demonstration started in Palestine Sq. in central Tehran. Protesters walked for almost 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 struggle and for Muslim-majority nations to halt financial cooperation with the Jewish state.
Iran is a identified backer of anti-Israeli militant teams such because the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad in addition to the Lebanese Hezbollah.
The U.S. State Division issued an announcement on the forty fourth anniversary of the embassy takeover.
“We’re grateful to our diplomats who served in Tehran and to all of the American diplomats who work day-after-day to advance our pursuits in harmful conditions world wide,” spokesperson Matthew Miller mentioned.
Miller additionally mentioned that “we condemn Iran’s continued detention of international residents to be used as bargaining chips.
“We condemn the Iranian regime’s ongoing help for Hamas and different terrorist teams throughout the Center East area that interact within the abhorrent follow of hostage-taking,” he mentioned.