30 Years after Embassy Takeover

On November 4th, 1979, 30 years ago, students in Tehran took over the American Embassy for 444 days. Also during this time Iran was changing from a monarchy to an Islamic Republic. This event caused a huge rift in the relations between the United States and Iran. The United States, right after this event, decided to diplomatically cut off all the ties with Iran. Over the past 20 years, the relationship between Iran and the United States is not as tense, but still is a bit icy. In a statement made today, President Obama wished that both the United States and Iran would look beyond the past and look towards the future.
Many people gathered in Tehran where a government backed Anti-American rally was taking place. Also during this time other protesters were in different parts of Tehran protesting and voicing their opposition towards the current Iranian government. Despite the government's strong efforts to pressure the opposition, protesters are still believe that the presidential elections in June were rigged. Police in Iran warned people not to hold "illegal" demonstrations that would not be a part of the Anti-American rally. Many protesters have been arrested.
The anti-american rally backed by the government sounds a little concerning. But it is important to concentrate your concerns about this Anit-American rally not towards the Iranian people, but towards the government. We cannot move forward if Americans view Iranians has hateful people. Just because a person might be Iranian does not mean that he/she hates America. Although this may sound elementary and simplistic, but many people still do it. What needs to be done is improve relations with Iran. The only way we can do that is if both governments are willing to cooperate. I respect the rights of Iran, but there if needed improvements are necessary to move forward, there must be a willingness from Iran to accept the fact that when working issues out, such as the nuclear program or allowing people to protest about the election, there are going to be things that Iran may not agree with totally. But there must be a willingness on both sides to accept that not everyone is going to get what they want, but in the long run it will improve the relations between the United States and Iran.

Further news articles discussing the events that happened today in Iran.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/world/middleeast/05iran.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8341631.stm