TEHRAN, IRAN – Hundreds of Iranians gathered in the capital city on Saturday to demand an end to what they see as the United States’ hostile actions towards their country. The pro-government rally, which drew thousands of participants, called for the lifting of US sanctions and the cessation of threats against Iran’s sovereignty.
The rally, held at Revolution Square in downtown Tehran, was attended by government officials, politicians, and ordinary citizens alike. They carried banners that read “US withdrawal from our region” and “Iran will not be intimidated”. The crowd chanted slogans demanding the removal of US troops from the Middle East and an end to what they described as America’s “aggressive policies”.
Speaking at the rally, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian condemned the US administration’s recent threats towards Tehran. He stated that these actions are “unacceptable” and will not be tolerated by the Iranian government. Amir-Abdollahian also reiterated Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The protesters also held up pictures of high-ranking American officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has been a key figure in US policy towards Iran. Some participants wore masks depicting the faces of Trump-era officials, with slogans such as “US threats will not be tolerated”.
In addition to calling for an end to US threats, the protesters also demanded that the country’s ports be reopened following a blockade imposed by the United States. The blockade, which was reimposed in January this year, has caused significant disruptions to Iran’s economy and hindered its ability to import vital goods.
Iranian officials have rejected claims that the country is using the US sanctions as leverage to negotiate a deal on its nuclear programme. Instead, they argue that these restrictions are an infringement on their right to self-defence and economic development.
US officials have also been accused of spreading misinformation about Iran’s military activities. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly stated that Tehran poses a significant threat to regional stability. However, Iranian authorities have insisted that this assessment is “extremely exaggerated”.
The rally in Tehran comes as tensions between the two nations continue to escalate. Diplomatic relations between Iran and the US broke down following the assassination of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. Since then, the conflict has intensified, with both sides accusing each other of aggression.
The event marked an important demonstration of public support for the current administration’s policies in Tehran. The rally came ahead of a series of upcoming parliamentary elections, which are expected to further solidify President Ebrahim Raisi’s position.
While some critics argue that Iran needs to adopt more conciliatory policies towards its adversaries, others see this event as an endorsement of government actions. As one participant was quoted saying “We will not back down from our stance and we demand the removal of all US threats against us”.
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