Iran marks 40th anniversary of US Embassy takeover

The former US diplomatic compound in Tehran has long been regarded as a clear indication of how deep America’s intelligence operations run in other countries. The students who took over the mission 40 years ago were able to piece together the shredded remains of various embassy documents that hinted at Washington’s secret plots against Iran and the Islamic Revolution.

The late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him) hailed the move by the students, describing the embassy takeover as the “Second Revolution.”

Here we present you a news report concerning this issue by staff writers of Iran's English language paper 'Iran Daily' under the heading: "Iran marks 40th anniversary of US Embassy takeover."

Thousands rallied outside the former US Embassy in Tehran on Monday Nov. 4 to mark the 40th anniversary of the takeover of the American mission. Marches and rallies were held in some 1,000 communities across the country four decades to the day after revolutionary students took over the complex and detained dozens of American diplomats and embassy staff. They also recovered thousands of documents proving the US espionage activities in the embassy, which gained notoriety as the “Den of Espionage.”

Replica missiles and the same type of air defense battery used to shoot down a US drone in June were put on display outside the former embassy turned museum in Tehran. Iranians massed in front of the building carrying effigies of US President Donald Trump and placards with slogans such as “Down with USA” and “Death to America.” The demonstrators expressed their opposition to global hegemony by chanting slogans against the United States and the Zionist regime and set their flags on fire in condemnation of their policies of creating havoc in other countries.

Rallies were also held in the cities of Mashhad, Shiraz and Esfahan, among others, with the local media estimating “millions of people” attending across the country. On November 4, 1979, less than nine months after the toppling of Iran’s American-backed Pahlavi regime, students took over the embassy complex to demand the United States hand over the ousted ruler after he was admitted to a US hospital. The students detained 66 embassy staff who were in the process of destroying classified documents that would have incriminated them in plotting to topple the nascent Islamic Republic.

Iran released women, African Americans as well as a man who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis days later but kept the remaining 52 detainees for 444 days. The US broke off diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980 and ties have been frozen ever since.

The former US diplomatic compound in Tehran has long been regarded as a clear indication of how deep America’s intelligence operations run in other countries. The students who took over the mission were able to piece together the shredded remains of various embassy documents that hinted at Washington’s secret plots against Iran and the Islamic Revolution. The late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him) hailed the move by the students, describing the embassy takeover as the “Second Revolution.”

The 40th anniversary comes at a time of escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 group last year and reimposed toughest ever sanctions on the country. Tehran has hit back with three countermeasures since May, reducing parts of its compliance with the nuclear deal.

Government Spokesman Ali Rabiei told the press on Monday “At the time [of the embassy takeover], Americans believed they were an exceptional nation, able to commit any injustice anywhere,” adding, America’s problem is still this sense of exceptionalism. It allows itself to trample international law and commit the worst crimes against nations with no fear of an international backlash.”

On Sunday Nov. 3, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has underlined the need for a ban on negotiation with the US, saying it is one of the ways to block the American infiltration. He said “Those who believe that negotiations with the enemy will solve our problems are one-hundred percent wrong.”

Ayatollah Khamenei has banned Iranian officials from holding talks unless the United States returns to the nuclear deal and lifts all sanctions.

Iran unveiled new anti-American murals on the walls of the former embassy on Saturday Nov. 2 with stark images of a crumbling Statue of Liberty, a downed US drone and skulls floating in a sea of blood. Iran’s Parliament gave initial approval to a measure requiring schoolbooks to inform students about “America’s crimes.”

Moreover, Iran’s Army Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi cautioned the enemies that the Islamic Republic has the necessary power and resolve to respond to pressures.

In an address to the Monday ceremony in Tehran to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy, Major General Mousavi said Iran’s policy of active resistance has forced the arrogant powers to change their behavior and calculations.

The commander said: "Their reasonable officials have realized that the “era of pressures with a zero cost has ended,” adding, “Iran has the necessary facilities, determination and consensus to respond to pressures.”

Enumerating the US government’s hostile measures against Iran, the top general said the Islamic resistance and the battle against arrogance have inflicted defeats on the US, which he said is rapidly heading toward the country’s downfall under President Donald Trump.

The commander also highlighted Iran’s leading role and influence in West Asia, saying the concept of resistance has been promoted across the region and turned into an effective model for countering hegemony.

In comments in November 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei highlighted the diminishing influence of the US government in all areas of power, saying Washington has even discredited “liberal democracy” which is known as the basis of the Western civilization.

The Leader underscored "There is a consensus among major international experts that US power is dwindling in all areas," adding, "Conversely, the Iranian nation is moving forward and has a bright future."

Ayatollah Khamenei also branded the US government as the loser of the confrontation with the Islamic Republic over the past 40 years, saying the fact in confrontation between the US and Iran is that “the victorious side in this challenge has been the Islamic Republic of Iran and the loser has been the US.”

In addition, the Iranian Army, in a statement on the same occasion, reiterated its readiness to protect the security of the Islamic Republic’s people.

Referring to the takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran, the army said in the statement released on Sunday Nov. 3: “The takeover of the 'Den of Espionage' by the students following the line of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini (God’s mercy upon him) proved that wherever the US is present, there would be discord, turmoil, and protest.” It added “One of the reasons why our dear country’s security today has become exemplary to enemies’ dismay, is the absence of the American Embassy in Tehran.”

The army said US officials have made numerous attempts to reopen their embassy in recent years in order to sow discord among the Iranian people. It stated “Today, more than ever, it has been proven that regional policies of the US have failed,” adding that White House leaders are pursuing their goals through sowing discords and waging civil wars.

The statement read: “The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are vigilant enough to counter any destructive move by the enemy to undermine (the country’s) security and peace… and never make light of the security of the people.”

The demonstrators wrapped up the nationwide event by issuing a statement.

The statement called the takeover of the embassy a "genius" and "revolutionary" move that needed to be discussed in universities and schools to familiarize the youths with America's atrocities against Iran.

The statement noted "We still view the declining and collapsing America as the number one enemy of the mankind," adding both the US and its European allies are "untrustworthy."

They also condemned the "child murdering" regime of Israel as well as the Ale Saud regime for their attempts to sow division in the Islamic World. The demonstrators further reiterated their support for the people of Palestine in the face of Israel's ongoing occupation of their lands.

Finally, they supported the Ansarullah Movement's fight against Saudi Arabia's deadly war and expressed solidarity with the people of Bahrain and Nigeria, in the struggle against their governments.