Washington rebukes Iran on anniversary of 1979 embassy takeover
The United States on Tuesday condemned Iran’s record on international law and human rights on the 46th anniversary of the 1979 takeover of its embassy in Tehran.
The United States on Tuesday condemned Iran’s record on international law and human rights on the 46th anniversary of the 1979 takeover of its embassy in Tehran.
“The attack and seizure of the United States Embassy in Tehran marked the beginning of countless violations of international law and the Iranian regime’s refusal to accept diplomacy,” the State Department’s Persian-language account said in a post on X.
On November 4, 1979, pro-Islamic Republic students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 American diplomats and staff hostage for 444 days, leading to the rupture of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Washington that have never been restored.
The State Department’s post said the embassy takeover began “a long pattern of ignoring the rights of other nations and interfering in their affairs,” reflecting “the same disregard for fundamental rights and freedoms that today defines this regime’s behavior toward its own people.”
It added that the United States “remains determined to promote diplomacy, accountability, and the aspirations of the Iranian people for a brighter future.”
The statement comes as Iran marked the anniversary with state-organized rallies across the country earlier in the day.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei doubled down on his hard line backing the takeover in a speech on Monday.
"The people took to the streets, and part of these demonstrations and popular movements, with student participation, led to the seizure of the US embassy,” he said. "The US embassy was the center of conspiracies and plotting to destroy the Islamic Revolution.”
Crowds gathered across the country waving national flags and portraits of Iran’s leaders to observe what officials call the National Day of Fighting Global Arrogance.
In Tehran, effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being hanged were displayed during the state sponsored rally.
