But on Tuesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a rare explanation of the phrase, adding a bit of nuance to what is often viewed as proof of deep-seated Iranian hatred for Americans.
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Khamenei seemed to confirm this theory Tuesday but remained stubborn on trusting the U.S. He’s not alone: Iranian lawmakers decided Monday not to abandon the “death to America” slogan, despite the recent nuclear agreement between the countries.
American flags and effigies of President Barack Obama were set ablaze on Wednesday as thousands gathered to mark the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the Iranian capital’s U.S. Embassy. It will be the first commemoration since the July nuclear deal was announced between Iran and the world powers.
The US State Department’s Persian Language Spokesperson Alan Eyre, who serves also as member of the USA nuclear negotiator team with Iran told Trend October 30, “To resolve the Syrian crisis, Washington is ready to cooperate with every nation, including Tehran and Damascus”. “The slogan means death to USA policies and arrogance”.
When the Iran nuclear deal was debated in Washington, the popular Iranian chant ‘Death to America!’ was a regular point of contention.
Khamenei has endorsed the deal, which curbs Iran’s nuclear drive in return for a lifting of sanctions, but has repeatedly warned against U.S. “infiltration” of the values of Iranian society.
Khamenei’s remarks come as Iran readies for the 36 anniversary of its hostage standoff with the U.S.in 1979. Seeking American sympathy, Mossadegh traveled to the United States in hopes that it would side with Iran against the British. Administration officials are likely to be swayed by analysis that the arrest is one of many attempts by hardliners in Iran to sabotage the deal, which has just begun the sensitive process of implementation.
“We have launched preliminary work”, Salehi, who is now on a visit to Japan, said. He explained that the slogan is more of a critique of American policies. Our people respect the American people.
“Food products from Iranian KFC have nothing to do with KFC” in the United States, he said.
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“The truth is that the US’s objectives regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran have not changed at all”, he said, according to Iranian agencies.
