Death to America Chants in Tehran as Hardliners Rally

Tens of thousands of Iranian demonstrators held one of the biggest anti-American rallies in years outside the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, as hardliners stepped up opposition to President Hassan Rouhani’s outreach to President Barack Obama.

Demonstrators waved banners attacking the U.S. and burned American flags during the annual state-sponsored event termed the “Day of National Confrontation Against World Imperialism.” The gatherings mark the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy, referred to in Iran as a “nest of spies” and come after conservative politicians and Revolutionary Guards leaders called for a show of force.