TEHRAN — Huge crowds chanted anti-Israel and U.S. slogans in Iran's
capital on Friday, an indication of the power that hardliners still hold
even as negotiators struggle to finalize a nuclear deal that would help
normalize the country's relations with the rest of the world.
"Today, I am here to punch Israel in the mouth,"
said Fatemeh Hossieni, a 61-year-old English teacher who was marching
for Al-Quds Day, a holiday held to show support for Palestinians.
"Israel will be destroyed, America will be destroyed — so will ISIS and
England."
Negotiators for Iran and six world powers — the U.S., Britain,
Russia, China, Germany and France — have missed a series of deadlines
trying to craft a deal that would restrict Tehran's nuclear program in
exchange for easing punishing economic sanctions.
On Friday, as talks reportedly became fractious,
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed warnings that
the U.S. was ready to leave the talks, saying they were
counterproductive. The negotiations in Vienna were later extended until
Monday afternoon.
But Hassan Khanalizadeh, a 26-year-old
journalist, vowed that even if the negotiators succeeded, Israel would
still be vulnerable.
Full article available here: Al-Quds Day
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