Iran marks U.S. embassy takeover anniversary

Demonstrators who gathered outside the former U.S. embassy warned Washington to learn from the incident.

Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iranians have celebrated the Nov. 4 takeover of the embassy, when 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days.

"The Americans should have learned from the seizure of their embassy; they should know that threats will not affect the Iranian nation," Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, speaker of Iran's parliament, said during the ceremony.

Apparently referring to U.S. support for imposing U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, Haddad Adel added: "The Americans have no choice but to change their bullying policy to a logical and respectful approach."

The U.S., which broke off diplomatic relations with Iran over the embassy takeover, suspects Iran's nuclear program is a front for developing weapons. Iran denies the accusations and says its program only has peaceful aims.

The demonstration came in the midst of 10 days of war games in Iran. On Saturday, the exercises included the participation of some 30,000 ground forces. Washington Post