Iran's 'Death to America' Chant Reflects Decades of Conflict

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In a recent lecture in New Albany, Ohio, former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the long history of conflict between the United States and Iran, dating back to the 1979 Iranian revolution. They argued that the theocratic rulers of Iran have been in a de facto state of war with the U.S. and its allies since the country's inception 47 years ago, with their 'death to America' chants reflecting genuine hostility rather than just rhetoric.

Why it matters

The speakers' insights provide important context for understanding the current tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have recently escalated into military operations. Their perspectives, based on firsthand experience in high-level national security roles, offer a deeper understanding of the complex history and motivations behind Iran's antagonism toward the U.S.

The details

McMaster and Pompeo detailed Iran's long history of aggression against the U.S., including the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, the 1983 Hezbollah bombing that killed 241 U.S. service members in Lebanon, and Iran's support for Hamas and the Houthis in destabilizing the Middle East. They argued that despite the Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Obama, Iran never gave up its quest for nuclear weapons and the means to protect and deliver them.

• The lecture took place just days after the start of U.S. military operations in Iran.
• The 1979 Iranian revolution marked the beginning of Iran's hostility toward the U.S.
• In 1983, Hezbollah, financed by Iran, carried out a suicide bombing that killed 241 U.S. service members in Lebanon.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The speakers noted that even the best-laid plans can become obsolete once military conflict begins, underscoring the unpredictability of the current situation between the U.S. and Iran.