Department spokesman Mark Toner said Thursday the administration does not regard the slogan “Death to America” as official Iranian policy, asserting that, “like any country, there’s heated political rhetoric that comes out.”
Toner was asked to comment on this week’s annual remembrance in Iran of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Mass marches were held across the country to mark the seizure, which led to 52 Americans being held hostage for 444 days.
Flags were burned, banners carried anti-U.S. messages, and the familiar “Death to America” (marg bar Amrika) slogans were chanted.
It's just words, right? You're telling me they don't matter?
The Iranians have only done this at state rallies for over 35 years. But it is not "official" policy. So I guess it is just Shia Islamist locker room talk, or something.
Considering that our administration looked the other way when Iran committed an act of war on American soil, making excuses for mere chanting is small beer.
