The ‘death to America’ slogan, once a rallying cry during the Iranian Revolution, continues to echo through Iran’s relations with the United States, even as the two nations navigate the complexities of nuclear negotiations and military posturing. Originating in the 1970s, this expression emerged as a potent symbol of resistance against the Shah’s regime, which was overthrown in 1979. The Islamic Republic that followed institutionalized this slogan as a declaration of war against U.S. policies, a sentiment that has since been wielded by Iranian leaders to signal their enduring hostility toward American foreign policy.
Despite Iran’s participation in international diplomatic efforts, such as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the slogan has not only persisted but also evolved to reflect targeted resentment towards individual U.S. leaders. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a central figure within the Islamic Republic, has used the phrase to condemn policies and leaders, including former President Donald Trump, whom he has directly named as targets of the slogan’s intended meaning. Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the JCPOA and subsequent reimposition of sanctions on Iran has further intensified this animosity, culminating in a series of targeted strikes by U.S. military forces on Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2023. These strikes, Trump argued, were a necessary response to Iran’s perceived threats and decades of aggression against the U.S. and its allies.
The ongoing tensions have not only reflected the historical grievances but have also highlighted the deepening ideological divide between the two nations. With Iran maintaining its stance on nuclear proliferation and the U.S. asserting its military superiority, the slogan has become more than just a chant; it is a testament to the unresolved conflicts and the continuous struggle for influence in the Middle East. The recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, while seen as a significant diplomatic achievement, has not quelled underlying tensions, as both nations continue to accuse each other of violating the agreement. With Trump’s declaration of the strikes as a ‘spectacular military success,’ the slogan continues to serve as a reminder of the complex and often volatile relationship between Iran and the United States.