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Anti-American sentiment in Iran has been prominent for decades. The chant "Death to America" has been in use in Iran since at least the Islamic revolution in 1979,[1][2] along with other phrases often represented as anti-American. A 1953 coup which involved the CIA was cited as a grievance.[3] State-sponsored murals characterised as anti-American dot the streets of Tehran.[4][5] It has been suggested that under Ayatollah Khomeini anti-Americanism was little more than a way to distinguish between domestic supporters and detractors, and even the phrase "Great Satan"[6] which has previously been associated with anti-Americanism, appears to now signify either the United States or the United Kingdom.[7][8] The U.S. Embassy hostage crisis (1979–1981), where 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days, solidified this rhetoric as a pillar of the Islamic Republic’s identity.[9] Notably, Khomeini’s anti-Americanism also served domestic political purposes, distinguishing loyalists from critics and consolidating power.[10]
While "Death to America" remains a staple of official rhetoric, its interpretation has fluctuated. During the September 11 attacks, Iranian leaders temporarily softened the chant, translating it as "Down with America" to avoid appearing supportive of terrorism.[11] Behind the scenes, historical records reveal pragmatic engagements, such as Khomeini’s secret 1979 overtures to the Carter administration to secure his return to Iran.[10]
Some studies show that anti-Americanism in Iran is related to support for political Islam.[12] US attempts to cripple Iran's economy have also significantly made Anti-American sentiment more common. Students from Tehran have been documented saying about US sanctions: “The more they push, the more it will lead to a rise in anti-Americanism.” and "It’s just a vicious circle."[13][14] This alignment is evident in the rhetoric of groups like Hezbollah and Iraqi militias, which adopted "Death to America" under Iranian influence. However, public opinion in Iran is nuanced; some polls suggest anti-Americanism is less pervasive among citizens than official narratives imply, though U.S. sanctions have exacerbated hostility.[13]
- ^ Robert Tait, 'America wants Iran to be dependent on it and Iranians don't want that' Archived 2021-06-09 at the Wayback Machine, 2 February 2006, The Guardian.
- ^ Philip Herbst (2003). Talking terrorism: a dictionary of the loaded language of political violence. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-313-32486-4.
- ^ Tamim Ansary (2009) Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes: 334
- ^ Michael Dumper; Bruce E. Stanley (2007). Cities of the Middle East and North Africa: a historical encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 351. ISBN 978-1-57607-919-5. Archived from the original on 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
- ^ Nathan Gonzalez (2007). Engaging Iran: the rise of a Middle East powerhouse and America's strategic choice. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. ix. ISBN 978-0-275-99742-7.
- ^ Sanger, David E.: "Bombs Away?", Upfront, The New York Times, 16
- ^ Johnson, Boris (22 June 2009). "What has Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran got against little old Britain?". The Daily Telegraph. Londo. Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "World News » UK is Tehran's 'Great Satan'". Gulf Daily News. 25 June 2009. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- ^ "Iran Hostage Crisis - Definition, Results & Facts". HISTORY. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
- ^ a b "Two Weeks in January: America's secret engagement with Khomeini". BBC News. 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
- ^ Taylor, Adam (2015-02-21). "The history of 'Death to America'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
- ^ Asadzade, Peyman (2019). "Faith or Ideology? Religiosity, Political Islam, and Anti-Americanism in Iran". Global Security Studies. 4 (4): 545–559. doi:10.1093/jogss/ogy038. Archived from the original on 2020-07-26. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
- ^ a b "Iran sanctions stoke anti-US sentiment". Archived from the original on 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
- ^ "US Economic Sanctions Harm Iranians' Right to Health". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
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