Iran displays missile, calls Trump "crazy" in marking 1979 U.S. embassy takeover

By Babak Dehghanpisheh

 

Iran's national flags are seen on a square in Tehran February 10, 2012, a day before the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl/Files

 

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran put a ballistic missile on display as thousands marched on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy, with a senior official accusing President Donald Trump of a "crazy" return to confrontation with Tehran.

 

Turnout for the annual Iranian street rallies commemorating the embassy takeover, a pivotal event of the Islamic Revolution, appeared higher than in recent years when Trump's predecessor Barack Obama pursued detente with Tehran.

 

Last month, Trump broke ranks with European allies, Russia and China by refusing to re-certify Iran's compliance with its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, reached during Obama's tenure. Under that deal, most international sanctions on Iran were lifted in exchange for Tehran curbing nuclear activity seen to pose a risk of being put to developing atomic bombs.

 

Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to the deal and U.N. inspectors have verified Tehran is complying with its terms, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened to "shred" the pact if the United States pulls out.

 

"All the governments confirm that the American president is a crazy individual who is taking others toward the direction of suicide,” Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, told a rally in Tehran, state media reported.

 

"Trump's policies against the people of Iran have brought them out into the streets today," Shamkhani said.

 

He did not identify the governments he had in mind. The other parties to the nuclear deal - Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - have voiced disquiet at Trump's opposition to it, fearing this could stir new Middle East instability.

 

But the Europeans share U.S. concern over Iran's ballistic missile programme and "destabilising" regional behaviour.

 

NOT NEGOTIABLE

 

Senior Iranian officials have repeatedly said that the Islamic Republic's missile programme is solely defensive in nature and is not negotiable.

 

In a sign of defiance, a Ghadr ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km (1,240 miles) was put on display near the ex-U.S. embassy in Tehran, now a cultural centre, during Saturday's street demonstration, Tasnim news agency said.

 

"That America thinks Iran is going to put aside its military power is a childish dream," said Brigadier General Hossein Salami, deputy head of its elite Revolutionary Guards which oversees the missile development, according to Tasnim.

 

Fars news agency posted pictures of demonstrators nearby burning an effigy of Trump and holding up signs saying "Death to America".

 

Iran and the United States severed diplomatic relations soon after the 1979 revolution, during which hardline students seized the embassy and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

 

Shamkhani spoke a few days after Khamenei said the United States was the "number one enemy" of the Islamic Republic.

 

U.S.-Iranian tensions have risen anew at a time when Tehran has been improving political and military ties with Russia.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran on Wednesday. Khamenei told him that Tehran and Moscow must step up cooperation to isolate the United States and help defuse conflict in the Middle East.

 

Iran and Russia are both fighting on the side of Syrian President Bashar al Assad against rebels, some of them U.S.-backed, and Islamist militants trying to overthrow him.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-11-05

 

Quote

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran on Wednesday. Khamenei told him that Tehran and Moscow must step up cooperation to isolate the United States and help defuse conflict in the Middle East.

The conflict in the middle east is fueled by Iran and Saudi Arabia.  How about Khamenei stepping up to help defuse conflicts in the ME?  Like get out of Lebanon.  Leave them alone.  Quit funding Hezbollah.

 

 

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

a senior official accusing President Donald Trump of a "crazy" return to confrontation with Tehran.

 

Hard to argue that point.

10 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

The conflict in the middle east is fueled by Iran and Saudi Arabia.  How about Khamenei stepping up to help defuse conflicts in the ME?  Like get out of Lebanon.  Leave them alone.  Quit funding Hezbollah.

 

 

Wouldn't disagree having Iran and Saudi on the list of fueling conflict, however there may be one or two others you might want to include...

7 minutes ago, Rancid said:

Wouldn't disagree having Iran and Saudi on the list of fueling conflict, however there may be one or two others you might want to include...

Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, etc, etc, etc...

42 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

The conflict in the middle east is fueled by Iran and Saudi Arabia.  How about Khamenei stepping up to help defuse conflicts in the ME?  Like get out of Lebanon.  Leave them alone.  Quit funding Hezbollah.

 

 

Lebanese and regional analysts, whether supporters or opponents of Hezbollah, said it appeared that Mr. Hariri had been pressured to resign by his patrons, the Saudis, as they and the United States ratchet up efforts to counter Iranian influence. The resignation came after weeks of sharp American and Saudi condemnations of Iran, including from President Trump, and new American sanctions against Hezbollah.By pushing out Mr. Hariri, analysts said, Saudi Arabia could deny Hezbollah a credible Sunni governing partner — an attempt to isolate it and deny it the fig leaf of a national unity government.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/04/world/middleeast/saad-hariri-lebanon-iran.html

•  

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, etc, etc, etc...

I'd say Turkey and foremost Israel.

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

I'd say Turkey and foremost Israel.

 

Yeah, but you'd say that.

 

Factually, both countries mentioned are involved in less regional conflicts than Iran.

12 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Yeah, but you'd say that.

 

Factually, both countries mentioned are involved in less regional conflicts than Iran.

I don't think Turkey nor Israel fund terrorist groups at the same level as Iran.  Nor Saudi Arabia. 

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

All the governments confirm that the American president is a crazy individual

Ah... at last last... a positive spin

 

POTUS is regarded as a unifying force.... ????

47 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

I don't think Turkey nor Israel fund terrorist groups at the same level as Iran.  Nor Saudi Arabia. 

 

Turkey and Israel, no - for one thing, not nearing the level of funds and resources available to Iran and Saudi Arabia, and less of an incentive to spread out. Comparing Iran and Saudi Arabia on this front may depend on definitions - state sponsored vs. sponsors in country (and turning a blind eye to such support).

1 hour ago, Morch said:

 

Yeah, but you'd say that.

 

Factually, both countries mentioned are involved in less regional conflicts than Iran.

The question was about fueling conflict.

And who was going to sell billions worth of weapons to the Saudis?

 

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

The question was about fueling conflict.

 

Yeah, so was my comment.

8 minutes ago, jvs said:

And who was going to sell billions worth of weapons to the Saudis?

 

 

If reports are to be believed, upcoming deals are with Russia. Other than that - USA, UK, PRC, France...pretty much any country that's got a competitive arms industry is willing to.

2 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Yeah, so was my comment.

No, you mentioned 'involved', not the same as 'fueling'.

As usual you're twisting.

Edited November 5, 20178 yr by stevenl

11 hours ago, jvs said:

And who was going to sell billions worth of weapons to the Saudis?

 

Russia.  Just happened:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-king-salman-visit-saudi-arabia-moscow-vladimir-putin-a7985161.html

Quote

Russia and Saudi Arabia 'sign $3bn arms deal' as King Salman visit shows how much relations have changed

 

14 hours ago, stevenl said:

No, you mentioned 'involved', not the same as 'fueling'.

As usual you're twisting.

 

Talk about nitpicking....I don't suppose you could clarify the difference in any meaningful way.