Iranians shake their fists over Trump’s warning
preme leader and the Islamic Republic”.
In a speech marking the revolution’s anniversary, Rouhani urged Iran’s faction-ridden elite to seek unity amid increased tensions with the US.
“Some inexperienced figures in the region and America are threatening Iran... They should know that the language of threats has never worked with Iran,” Rouhani told the crowd at Azadi Square.
“Our nation is vigilant and will make those threatening Iran regret it...
They should learn to respect Iran and Iranians... We will strongly confront any war-mongering policies.”
The rallies were rife with anti-US and anti-Israel sentiment. Some carried pictures of Trump, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and British Prime Minister Theresa May captioned “Death to the Devil Triangle”.
“This turnout of people is a strong response to false remarks by the new leaders of America,” Rouhani told state TV, which said millions had turned out at rallies across Iran.
U.S. flags were burned as is traditional although many Iranians on social media such as Twitter and Facebook used the hashtag #LoveBeyondFlags to urge an end to flag-burning during the anniversary.
They also thanked Americans for opposing Trump’s executive order banning entry to the US to travelers from seven mainly Muslim countries, including Iran. Trump’s travel ban is being challenged in US courts.
Some marchers carried banners that read : “Thanks to American people for supporting Muslims.”
Both US-based social media sites are blocked in Iran by a wide-reaching government censor but they are still commonly used by millions of Iranians who use special software to get around the restrictions.
Trump has criticised a nuclear deal reached between Iran, the US and other major powers in 2015 aimed at curbing the country’s nuclear work. Most of the sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted last year under the deal.
Rouhani defended the deal, which his hardline rivals oppose as a concession to pressure from Washington, saying it protected the Islamic Republic’s rights to nuclear power, ending Iran’s political isolation and crippling economic sanctions. – Reuters