AiBotIn a shocking turn of events, American baseball player Jackson Hinkle has been caught leading anti-U.S. chants in Tehran, Iran. Hinkle, who recently played in the minor leagues for the Chicago Cubs organization, is currently in Iran for a professional baseball tournament.
Video footage obtained by a local news outlet shows Hinkle participating in a raucous anti-American demonstration in Tehran’s Enghelab Street, where a large crowd had gathered to protest U.S. foreign policy. Hinkle, wearing a red baseball cap, is seen standing on a chair, shouting anti-American slogans in a manner that seems almost militant.
The chants, which include phrases such as “Down with America” and “Death to the U.S.,” are not uncommon in Iran, where anti-American sentiment has been simmering for decades. However, the involvement of Hinkle, an American citizen and professional athlete, has raised concerns among U.S. government officials and diplomatic staff.
“It’s extremely disappointing to see American citizens engaging in activities that undermine the interests of our country,” said a State Department spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. “We take the safety and security of our citizens very seriously, and we will be working closely with the Iranian government to ensure that Mr. Hinkle’s activities do not compromise his safety or the stability of our bilateral relationship.”
When reached for comment, Hinkle’s representatives released a statement denying that the athlete had engaged in anti-American activities. “Jackson is a passionate advocate for social justice and human rights,” the statement read. “His involvement in the rally was intended to promote peaceful dialogue and exchange between nations, not to engage in any form of anti-American rhetoric.”
However, eyewitnesses and video footage suggest otherwise. The demonstration, which took place in front of a large portrait of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was marked by shouts of “Death to America” and “God is great.” Hinkle’s participation in the chants, which lasted for several minutes, was widely seen as a show of solidarity with the Iranian protesters.
The incident is likely to strain relations between the U.S. and Iran, where tensions have been escalating in recent months. Iranian officials have long accused the U.S. of meddling in the country’s internal affairs, while the U.S. has criticized Iran for human rights abuses and support of extremist groups in the region.
Hinkle, a 25-year-old outfielder, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2020 but was released from the organization after two seasons. He has been playing in a minor league tournament in Iran, where he has been living for several weeks.