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Anniversary of U.S. Embassy siege shows shift in Iran
Monday, November 5, 2001
TEHRAN, Iran -- The script was the same as past years: Protesters chanting "Death to America" and burning flags outside the former U.S. Embassy to mark the anniversary of the day the compound was overrun in 1979.
But amid this year's commemoration -- attended by about 5,000 people Sunday -- were hints the old formulas are no longer enough.
Iran's hard-line rulers have been troubled by street rallies and questioned over foreign policy.
Sunday's crowd was filled out by students ranging in age from 7 to the teens and military conscripts. The children took advantage of a day away from classes by clowning around and paying little attention to the speakers.