On Monday, a crowd estimated in the tens of thousands converged on Tehran's central Azadi Square, staging what Al Jazeera reported as the most sizable anti‑United States demonstration in the country since the early‑2000s war in Afghanistan began. Participants, including university students, labour union members and members of opposition groups, raised banners and chanted slogans denouncing U.S. policies and calling for the removal of what they described as foreign interference.
The rally was organized through social‑media channels and word‑of‑mouth networks, with organizers urging demonstrators to voice discontent over the economic strain caused by recent U.S. sanctions and to protest what they termed American aggression in the region. Security forces responded with a visible presence, deploying tear‑gas canisters and making a number of arrests, though officials did not release an exact figure on detainees.
Iranian authorities framed the gathering as being instigated by external actors, accusing foreign intelligence services of exploiting domestic grievances to destabilise the country. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior reiterated that any unlawful assembly would be dealt with according to the law, while also warning that foreign‑backed protests threaten national security.
In Washington, State Department officials declined to comment on the specifics of the Tehran protest but reiterated a long‑standing policy of supporting the right of peaceful assembly worldwide. The United States has recently escalated economic pressure on Tehran, imposing additional sanctions linked to alleged nuclear violations and support for militant groups, measures that have intensified public resentment within Iran.
Analysts cited by Al Jazeera noted that the scale of the demonstration reflects a broader surge in popular frustration over soaring inflation, unemployment and the perceived erosion of national sovereignty. The protest follows a series of smaller demonstrations earlier this year that were quickly dispersed by security forces, suggesting a growing willingness among segments of the population to publicly challenge both domestic policy and foreign influence.
The event also coincided with a regional diplomatic push, as Iran prepares for upcoming talks on its nuclear programme with European and Asian partners. Observers warned that domestic unrest could complicate Tehran's negotiating position, especially if the United States continues to link sanction relief to broader political concessions.
While the protest did not result in immediate policy shifts, its size and visibility have drawn international attention to the depth of anti‑U.S. sentiment among ordinary Iranians. Al Jazeera highlighted that the rally may signal a turning point in how public dissent is expressed in Iran, potentially reshaping the dynamics of internal politics and external diplomatic engagements.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/18/iranians-rally-in-biggest-show-of-defiance-against-us-since-war-began?traffic_source=rss.