Iranians bash Israel, US to celebrate 1979 revolution
Watch: Millions of Iranians participate in a nationwide celebration Friday to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the 1979 revolution with rallies around the country; masses of people stomp on pictures of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Demonstrators in Tehran commemorated the 38th anniversary of the Islamic revolution with mass marches all over the country Friday, chanting traditional slogans against the US and Israel.
Among other places, demonstrators marched toward Azadi Square, where President Hassan Rouhani addressed the crowd, delivering an underlining message to President Trump without actually referencing him by name.
"Anyone who speaks the language of threat to this nation, the Iranian nation will make him regret" it, he said, without elaborating. "This presence (of demonstrators) is a response to wrong comments by new leaders in the White House, and they announce with their presence to the world that they should talk with respect and not use threatening language to the Iranian nation."
In downtown Tehran, thousands of people crowded the streets; some were carrying the Iranian flag, while others were seen trampling American flags with the visages of President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and British Prime Minister Theresa May.
Some people threw balls and darts targeting pictures of Trump and Netanyahu.
A young Iranian said in an interview to Iranian TV that "America and Trump can't do anything. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for our leader Khamenei."
The rallies commemorate February 11, 1979, when followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ousted the US-backed Shah Reza Pahlavi.
Despite the pictures, some claim that the bouts of hatred toward Trump's administration have yet to completely take over the demonstrations.
A New York Times reporter even uploaded a picture of a protester waving a banner with the surprising caption: "Americans are welcome to visit Tehran."
There were other posters distributed in English that read: "Thanks to American people for supporting Muslims."
At the same time, many Iranians used the hashtag #LoveBeyondGFlags on social media in the hopes of bringing the practice of burning flags during celebrations to a stop.
The rallies come at a time when new US President Donald Trump has already engaged in a war of words with Iran's leadership and put Tehran "on notice" over a recent ballistic missile test.
