Archive · 2 Feb 2026
Iran Lawmakers Chant 'Death to America' in Defiance
Iranian leaders were very angry in a big meeting shown on TV.
They shouted 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' to show they won't back down.
This happened because other countries, like those in Europe, called a part of Iran's military a bad group.
Iran then said those countries' armies are bad too.
The leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the recent big protests were like a 'coup' and warned that if the US starts a war, it will be a big regional war.
The protests started because people were upset about the high cost of living and turned into big anti-government movements.
There are different numbers about how many people died in the protests, with Iran saying over 3,000 and a human rights group saying over 6,700.
Iranian lawmakers chanted 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' in parliament, wearing military uniforms.
The chants were a response to the EU's designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf labeled EU armies as 'terrorist groups' in retaliation.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei compared the recent anti-government protests to a 'coup' and warned of a regional war if the US starts a conflict.
The protests began over the high cost of living but grew into a mass anti-government movement, with differing casualty figures reported by Iranian authorities and human rights groups.
- Who
- Iranian lawmakers, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- What
- Chanted 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' in parliament; Khamenei compared protests to a 'coup' and warned of regional war.
- When
- February 1, 2024 (parliament session); recent protests and Khamenei's speech on the 47th anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's return from exile.
- Where
- Iran.
- Why
- In response to EU's designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization and ongoing domestic protests.
Iranian Government
Western Nations
Protest Characterization
Iranian Government
The protests are described as 'riots' and 'sedition' fomented by foreign entities like the US and Israel.
Western Nations
The protests are seen as legitimate expressions of discontent against the government's policies and actions.
Casualty Figures
Iranian Government
Iran acknowledges over 3,000 deaths, mostly security forces and innocent bystanders, attributing violence to 'terrorist acts'.
Western Nations
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports 6,713 deaths, mostly protesters.
- Event
- Iranian lawmakers chant 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' in parliament.
- Location
- Iran
- Context
- Response to U.S. and EU actions amid domestic protests.
- EU Action
- EU designates Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.
- Iran's Response
- Iran labels EU armies as 'terrorist groups' in retaliation.
- Speaker
- Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran's Parliament Speaker.
- Broadcast
- Session aired live on state television.
- Supreme Leader's Statement
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei compares protests to a 'coup' and warns of regional war if the US starts a conflict.
- Protest Casualties
- Iran: 3,000+ deaths (mostly security forces and bystanders); HRANA: 6,713+ deaths (mostly protesters).
Sources
Iran considers EU armies as ‘terrorist groups’ in retaliatory move
'Death to America, Death To Israel': Iran’s Lawmakers Rage in Military Uniform After Trump Hints at Negotiations
'Like A Coup': Khamenei On Recent Anti-Government Protests In Iran
Iran warns of regional conflict if US attacks, designates EU armies ‘terrorists’
'Like A Coup': Khamenei On Recent Anti-Government Protests In Iran
Iran declares European armies ‘terrorist groups’; Khamenei terms protests a coup attempt
"Of Course He Will Say That": Trump On Khamenei's 'Regional War' Threat
Khamenei Calls Iran’s Protests 'Coup', Warns Of 'Regional War' If US Attacks
Iran’s Top Leader Warns of Regional War as Trump Renews Demands
