TEHRAN: In commemoration of the Islamic Revolution’s 45th anniversary, hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets across the country on Sunday, chanting “Death to Israel” and burning United States and Israeli flags amidst ongoing Israeli bombardment in Gaza.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, addressing the nation via televised speech, accused the United States and certain Western countries of supporting what he termed as “the Zionist regime’s crimes against humanity in Gaza.”
State TV reported millions turning out for the rallies, showcasing large crowds echoing slogans like “Death to Israel, Death to America!”, a customary practice during state-organized events marking the anniversary of the 1979 revolution.
Iran’s Support for Palestinians
State media showed images of marchers hanging an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by a noose, symbolizing their opposition to Israeli policies.
The conflict in Gaza, ongoing for four months, has had reverberations across the Middle East, with groups mounting attacks on Israeli and US targets.
In recent weeks, the region has witnessed heightened tensions, including US strikes against groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, following a deadly attack on US troops at a remote outpost in Jordan.
The Palestinian cause has remained central to Iran’s Islamic Republic since the revolution, with support for Palestinians perceived as a cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy.
