Iran nuclear deal backers plan worldwide ‘peace’ marches

Thousands of people are expected to take part in dozens of marches in cities across the globe Saturday in support of Iran’s deal with world powers over its controversial nuclear programme.

The “global day of peace”, as organisers describe it, is aimed at showing support for the deal, which must be approved by US lawmakers before being implemented, and to “prevent another war in the Middle East”.

The call to mobilise comes as the historic deal reached last month is under fire from US and Iranian hardline politicians.

Activists said the marches, organised partly by Iranians living abroad, will be a show of solidarity with Iran against “pro-war lobbies” in the US.

Organisers say they have no affiliation with any group or political party.

The agreement reached in Vienna provides for a progressive and conditional lifting of crippling international sanctions on Iran, in exchange for guarantees that the Islamic republic will not develop a nuclear bomb.

The deal has been publicly and vocally opposed by many members of the US Congress as well as by Israel, and has raised concerns among US allies in the Gulf.

A Facebook page supporting the deal has already advertised marches on Saturday in around 80 cities, including Melbourne, Tokyo, Paris, Ottawa and New York.

A US State Department spokeswoman acknowledged the campaign this week on social media.

“I have no idea who is doing this, but it’s kind of awesome,” said Marie Harf, re-tweeting a photo of a bike in Washington with a paper tag reading “Support #IranDeal”.