04 Nov 2019 | 10:45 AM UTC
Iran: Nationwide anti-US protests reported November 4
Anti-US protesters gather across the country November 4; heightened security and localized transportation disruptions expected
Event
Thousands of protesters have gathered outside the former US embassy in Tehran on the morning (local time) of Monday, November 4, for anti-US protests and to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the embassy's takeover by Islamist activists. Associated protests were held in Machhad and Isfahan, as well as in Bouchehr, Ahvaz, Chiraz, Zahedan, Qazvin, and Tabriz.
A heightened security presence along with localized traffic disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of all protest sites.
Context
On November 4, 1979, students supporting the Islamic Revolution stormed the US embassy in Tehran to demand the extradition of the US-backed Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, hospitalized in the US soon after his fall from power. 52 Americans were held hostage in the Embassy for 444 days. The two countries broke off diplomatic relations ever since the incident and tensions remain high as of today. On November 3, 2019, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 3 renewed a ban on talks with the US, describing the two countries as implacable foes.
Advice
Individuals in Iran, and particularly in Tehran, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate transportation and business disruptions, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.
