Why are these Iranians waving the red flag?
On Thursday, thousands of mostly conservative Iranians gathered on the outskirts of Tehran to commemorate the death of Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini 37 years ago. The theme of the day was revenge. Participants told CNN they were skeptical of peace talks with the United States and instead wanted revenge on the leadership for killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in February. The war further exacerbated the country’s predicament. A crackdown on anti-regime protests earlier this year left thousands dead. CNN operates only with permission from the Iranian government but maintains full editorial control of its reporting.
The great-grandson of the Islamic Republic struck a defiant tone in an interview with CNN on Thursday, saying Iran should not compromise on its demands to end the war.
“The Iranian government has no reason to withdraw our position,” Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini, the great-grandson of the regime’s first supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, told CNN at an event in Tehran province.
“Now we should ask ourselves how we can trust America again,” Khomeini said. “Now, let me tell you what Americans must do this time.”
Ruhollah Khomeini led the Islamic Revolution of 1979, ousted Iran’s Western-backed monarch, the Shah, and continued to brand the United States the “great devil” and Israel the “little devil.”
The younger Khomeini, who does not hold any government position, spoke at a major ceremony commemorating his great-grandfather’s death 37 years ago. The event featured references to the US-Israel war against Iran, with many participants calling for retaliation, some waving red flags with the word “revenge” written in Farsi.
Ahmad Khomeini, himself a public figure in Iran, has maintained a tough stance against the United States, but did not refuse to negotiate an end to the conflict.
“Iran has never shied away from dialogue. Even when it was attacked in the middle of negotiations, it stood firm and returned to the negotiating table,” he said, warning that Iran was ready for another military action if necessary.
“We have never had such animosity towards the American people as to require improved relations with them. Our enmity is and always will be towards American politicians. Nothing can erase that,” Khomeini added.
Editor’s note: CNN operates only with permission from the Iranian government, but maintains full editorial control of its coverage.
