In Tehran, the anniversary of the 1979 U.S. embassy takeover always sounds like this…<br/> <br />…thousands rallying outside the former U.S. diplomatic compound to chant 'Death to America'.<br/> <br />But this year's annual demonstration, on Monday, was also a barometer of opposition to moderate President Hassan Rouhani.<br/> <br />He's been trying to ease tensions with Washington…and conservatives are suspicious.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE STUDENT PROTESTER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"With this 'down with the USA' we prove that we're standing by the oppressed and we will fight the foreign adversaries."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE STUDENT PROTESTER, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I love my country, I'm Iranian, I won't let any invader set foot in my country, I won't let them in."<br/> <br />As if to counter some of the antagonism of Monday's rally, authorities in Tehran started taking down anti-American murals in the capitol last month.<br/> <br />A friendly gesture towards Iran's long-term rival.
