Iran Marks 1979 Revolution amid Tensions with Trump

Iran’s President accused US President Donald Trump of trying to bring Iran “to its knees” as the country marked the 1979 revolution that toppled the shah. The revolution led to decades of tension between the US and Iran.

In Iran, celebrations included public gatherings with patriotic songs and chants, notably in Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad. The crowds waved portraits of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei alongside the national flag and military equipment while chanting against America.

The events had taken place after Trump restored sanctions on Iran earlier this month. Previously, he pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal, which worsened relations. Despite this, Iranian leaders said they did not want war, but neither would they give in to foreign powers. For many Iranians, such as teacher Parvaneh Samakhani, the US could not be trusted. Demonstrators chanted “Death to America” and waved caricatures of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.