Iranians hold rallies to mark 1979 US embassy takeover

Iranians have held massive rallies across the country to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the US embassy in the capital, Tehran.

In Tehran, a large group demonstrators gathered outside the building of the former US embassy, also known as the “den of espionage,” on Tuesday and chanted slogans against the United States and Israel.

November 4, also known as Student Day in Iran, marks the day of fight against global arrogance.

Thirty five years ago on this day, a group of university students stormed the embassy building. They believed the US mission had turned into a center of spying aimed at overthrowing the Islamic establishment in Iran following the Islamic Revolution earlier in 1979.

Documents found at the compound later corroborated claims by revolutionary students that the US was using its Tehran embassy to plot to topple the new Islamic establishment of Iran.

Fifty-two American nationals from the embassy were held for 444 days until January 20, 1981.

Founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Seyyed Rouhollah Khomeini later hailed the effort as “a second revolution” with a greater significance.