Iran celebrates revolution's anniversary with defiant tone amid nuclear talks

Iran celebrates revolution's anniversary with defiant tone amid nuclear talks.

As nuclear talks enter what U.S. officials have described as the "final moment," Iran struck a defiant tone Friday, marking the forty-third anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that brought to power its hardline government.

In the streets of Tehran, thousands celebrated in convoys of cars and motorbikes because of COVID-19 restrictions -- waving flags, honking horns, and displaying "Down with U.S.A." signs.

But elsewhere across the capital, a weary Iranian public suffering under years of tight U.S. sanctions and economic mismanagement are eager for relief, especially from sky-high inflation, which now exceeds 40%.

Whether they'll see a significant reprieve soon depends on the diplomatic efforts underway in Austria, where the U.S. and Iran are negotiating through proxies in an attempt to resuscitate a President Barack Obama-era nuclear deal.