Pro-Iran Rally Broadcast in Times Square
In an unusual broadcast, Iranian state television will air live from Times Square. This event hosts radical anti-American activists who gather to celebrate what they call a “victory” for the Islamic regime after a recent twelve-day conflict. Attendees are raising Iranian flags and displaying portraits of deceased IRGC members, along with the Supreme Leader, to commemorate the regime’s mission, which they claim counters Washington’s “imperial ambition.”
Rachel Hamdoon, a correspondent for a state-controlled English-language news outlet, reported that many New Yorkers emphasized the event’s theme, “Long Live Resistance.” She described the gathering as a celebration of the “Operation True Promise,” a reference to missile strikes against Israel orchestrated by the Islamic Republic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g_ksew8vd4
The event, organized by a Bronx anti-war coalition, saw demonstrators advocating for “Iran’s right to self-defense” as they marched through midtown. They carried banners depicting Iran’s top terrorist commanders who were killed by the U.S. and Israel and voiced the need to dismantle military influences in the Western Middle East.
A masked participant, who went by “Che,” stated, “The strong Iranian response really shows that they will no longer accept aggression… It’s apparent that they will continue to support Hezbollah and the Palestinians, ensuring Iran is a reliable ally.”
Another protester, Shivani, representing a left-wing socialist group, commented, “Iran is a crucial supporter of resistance against imperialism and Zionism.”
Hamdoon characterized the protest as a crucial message to the U.S., emphasizing a collective vow among attendees to persist in fighting against what they perceive as “imperialist and Zionist regimes,” insisting that surrender is not an option for the people of West Asia.
The pro-Iran rally appeared to be a strategic propaganda initiative by Tehran amidst intense internal crackdowns following President Trump labeling it a “12-day war.” In the aftermath, Iran has instituted widespread arrests and enforcement, notably in the Kurdish region.
While the Iranian regime promotes the Times Square demonstration as a sign of global backing, the reality is more complex. Iranian state media seem to take advantage of their narrative in the ongoing propaganda battle against the West, while some American extremists display newfound support for state sponsors of terrorism.
