Millions of Iranians participated in government-backed rallies marking the 35th anniversary of the Islamic revolution on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported.
At the largest rallies, in the capital, Tehran, the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, including the United States, dominated the event, which is traditionally organized by Iran’s hard-line factions.
Posters and placards were distributed bearing slogans that referred to Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent remarks that despite the discussions over the nuclear program the military option remains on the table.
“We are eager for all options on the table,” many of the placards read, cheerfully held up by Iranian families pushing baby strollers while shouting, “Death to America.” Other posters said, “We are ready for the great battle.”
Wendy R. Sherman, the under secretary of state for political affairs, was singled out during the rallies. Some of the participants shouted “death to Sherman,” the semiofficial Iranian Student News Agency reported.
