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Iranians Gather on 35th Anniversary of Islamic Revolution Iranians Assail U.S. on Revolution Anniversary
(about 4 hours later)
TEHRAN — Millions of Iranians participated in government-backed rallies marking the 35th anniversary of the Islamic revolution on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported. TEHRAN — Mixing exhortations of death to America with admonishments to children about healthy teeth and gums, Iran celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Islamic revolution on Tuesday, and the state news media said millions exuberantly participated.
At the largest rallies, in the capital, Tehran, the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, including the United States, dominated the event, which is traditionally organized by Iran’s hard-line factions. At the largest rallies, in the capital, Tehran, the talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear program with world powers, including the United States, dominated the event, traditionally organized by Iran’s hard-line factions that have shown strong skepticism about the negotiations.
Posters and placards were distributed bearing slogans that referred to Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent remarks that despite the discussions over the nuclear program the military option remains on the table. Posters and placards were distributed bearing slogans that referred to Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent remarks that despite the discussions over the nuclear program, the military option remained on the table for resolving the dispute over the nuclear program. Iran contends it is pursuing atomic power for peaceful purposes, but many other countries, notably the United States and Israel, suspect its nuclear program is intended to camouflage the production of nuclear weapons.
“We are eager for all options on the table,” many of the placards read, cheerfully held up by Iranian families pushing baby strollers while shouting, “Death to America.” Other posters said, “We are ready for the great battle.” “We are eager for all options on the table,” many of the placards read, cheerfully hoisted by Iranian parents pushing baby strollers while shouting, “Death to America!” Other posters read, “We are ready for the great battle.”
Wendy R. Sherman, the under secretary of state for political affairs, was singled out during the rallies. Some of the participants shouted “death to Sherman,” the semiofficial Iranian Student News Agency reported. Wendy R. Sherman, the lead American negotiator in the nuclear talks, who few Americans could identify, was singled out for particular denunciation, with many rally participants shouting “Death to Sherman,” the semiofficial Iranian Students’ News Agency reported.
Testifying before the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee a week ago, Ms. Sherman said that the Iranian government had started handing out free food, after the United States released $500 million to Iran as part of a temporary agreement over the country’s nuclear program. Testifying before the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee a week ago, Ms. Sherman said that the Iranian government had started distributing free food, after the United States released $500 million to Iran as part of a temporary agreement over the country’s nuclear program that took effect on Jan. 20.
Iranian hard-liners reacted angrily, saying the money — which came from Iranian accounts frozen under sanctions — had been seized by the United States and that Iran had long ago paid for the free food. Iranian hard-liners reacted angrily, accusing the Americans of distortion. The money — which came from Iranian accounts frozen under sanctions — had paid for the food long ago, they said, before the United States seized the cash.
Some protesters also called for the deaths of President Obama and Mr. Kerry. Some protesters also shouted “Death to Obama!” and “Death to Kerry!”
On Feb. 11, 1979 Iranian revolutionaries declared victory over the regime of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and brought to power a government overseen by Shiite Muslim clerics. The rallies celebrated Feb. 11, 1979, when Iranian revolutionaries declared victory over the American-backed government of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and brought to power a government overseen by Shiite Muslim clerics.
President Hassan Rouhani, a cleric who was elected in June, criticized what he called American threats against Iran but said that if world powers negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program respected Tehran’s “rights,” they would receive “a positive and appropriate answer” from Iran.President Hassan Rouhani, a cleric who was elected in June, criticized what he called American threats against Iran but said that if world powers negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program respected Tehran’s “rights,” they would receive “a positive and appropriate answer” from Iran.
“Iran is determined to hold fair and constructive talks based on international law. We hope that we will see the same kind of will from the opposite side during the talks that will begin within days,” Mr. Rouhani said in a speech on state radio. “I am frankly telling P5+1 countries that the nuclear talks are a historical test for Europe and America,” he said, referring to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Vienna on Feb. 18.
But like his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mr. Rouhani warned that threats would cost Iran’s counterparts in the nuclear talks dearly. “Iran is determined to hold fair and constructive talks based on international law,” Mr. Rouhani said in a speech broadcast on state radio. “We hope that we will see the same kind of will from the opposite side during the talks that will begin within days.”
He called the impending talks " a historical test for Europe and America.”
But like his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mr. Rouhani warned that threats would cost Iran’s counterparts in the nuclear talks.
“If they want to repeat the unpleasant and incorrect methods of the past, they should know that they will act to the detriment of their own nation, region and global welfare and stability,” he said.“If they want to repeat the unpleasant and incorrect methods of the past, they should know that they will act to the detriment of their own nation, region and global welfare and stability,” he said.
The rally, a sort of ideological carnival, featured clowns explaining to children the importance of brushing their teeth, re-enactments of scenes from the devastating war between Iran and Iraq, and parachutists dropping candy into the crowds. The rally was a blend of nationalist zeal and family fun. Clowns explained to children the importance of brushing their teeth. Actors re-enacted scenes from the devastating war between Iran and Iraq. Parachutists dropped candy into the crowds.
At one stage, hundreds of people watched Pangool, a famous Iranian children’s television puppet character explain that the children’s presence was neutralizing American threats. “They say all options are on the table,” the puppet said, “but it is your active presence here in the rally that is our answer to them!” Some children looked puzzled but the sight of the famous cat was an attraction by itself, one parent said. At one stage, hundreds of people watched Pangool, a famous Iranian children’s television puppet, explain that the children’s presence was neutralizing American threats. “They say all options are on the table,” the puppet said, “but it is your active presence here in the rally that is our answer to them!”
In the distance, the Revolutionary Guard’s band played songs from the 1979 revolution, as one cleric, Mohammad Moshabarati, 28, marched by, holding a long flagpole carrying an Islamic flag. Some children looked puzzled but the sight of Pangool was an attraction by itself, one parent said.
“Everything you see here is the achievement of our Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” he said. “Our slogan is ‘Death to U.S.’ and it will be so forever no matter what President Rouhani agrees with the Americans.” In the distance, the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps band played songs from the 1979 revolution, as one cleric, Mohammad Moshabarati, 28, marched by, holding a long pole bearing an Islamic flag.
“Everything you see here is the achievement of our Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” he said. “Our slogan is, ‘Death to U.S.,’ and it will be so forever, no matter what President Rouhani agrees with the Americans.”
There were reports that activists belonging to the silenced opposition movement had planned to join the rallies, and plainclothes police officers could be seen among the crowd. Social media reported the arrest of six people, but this could not be independently verified.There were reports that activists belonging to the silenced opposition movement had planned to join the rallies, and plainclothes police officers could be seen among the crowd. Social media reported the arrest of six people, but this could not be independently verified.
The Iranian government also hosted a lavish 35th anniversary dinner buffet at the United Nations on Monday night, where hundreds of diplomats and other guests including Secretary General Ban Ki-moon mingled, as flat-screen televisions showed video clips of Iranian rocket launches and precision bomb tests.
Iran’s military has been using the anniversary to show defiance of what it regards as American arrogance, test firing new missiles and engaging in other acts of bravado. On Tuesday the Fars News Agency, which is closely aligned with the Revolutionary Guards, featured interviews with senior commanders boasting about an Iranian naval flotilla’s planned voyage to the Atlantic with the intent of patrolling the United States maritime borders — the counterpoint to what the United States Fifth Fleet does in the Persian Gulf.
“All countries, including Iran, are entitled to the right to be present in the free waters, and we don’t seek to violate any country’s territorial waters,” Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari was quoted by Fars as saying while he participated in the annual rallies.
Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said Monday that the United States was not concerned.