Iranian Lawmakers Burn US Flag in Parliament

Iranian lawmakers burned a US flag and chanted “death to America” in parliament after Trump’s nuclear deal pullout.

By: AP

Iranian lawmakers lit a US flag on fire at parliament Wednesday after President Donald Trump’s nuclear deal pullout, shouting, “Death to America!”

The impromptu demonstration reflected anger in Iran after Trump’s decision, which threatens to destroy the 2015 nuclear accord. While Iranian officials, including the parliament speaker, say they hope Europe will work with them to preserve the deal, many are pessimistic.

The lawmakers, including a Shiite cleric, held the flaming flag alight as their colleagues joined their chants. They also burned a piece of paper representing the nuclear deal and stomped on the papers’ ashes.

While US flag burning is common in Iran and harsh criticism of America has been a staple of Iranian parliamentary politics for years, it was the first time political observers could remember anything being burned inside the parliament itself.

Late Tuesday night, President Hassan Rouhani made a point of stressing that Iran, at any time, could resume its nuclear program.

“So if necessary, we can begin our industrial enrichment without any limitations,” the Iranian leader said. “Until implementation of this decision, we will wait for some weeks and will talk with our friends and allies and other signatories of the nuclear deal, who signed it and who will remain loyal to it. Everything depends on our national interests.”

Wednesday morning after the flag burning, parliament speaker Ali Larijani urged the country’s nuclear department to prepare for “resumption of all aspects of nuclear activities.”