Iran marks 1979 US Embassy takeover amid nationwide protests

By JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran is marking the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran as its theocracy faces nationwide protests after the death of a 22-year-old woman earlier arrested by the country’s morality police. While crowds in Tehran looked large with chador-wearing women waving the Islamic Republic’s flag, other commemorations appeared smaller, with only a few dozen people taking part. Iran’s hard-line president criticized the demonstrations as backing Tehran’s enemies. Meanwhile, activists in southeast Iran claimed security forces killed at least 16 people in protests in the country’s restive Sistan and Baluchestan province.