Daily Alert Archives

How Iranians View Their Future

(Ynet News) Yehuda Shohat - Phone calls made in recent days by Yediot Ahronot to several Iranian citizens revealed a fascinating picture of the enemy state that hides behind the scary rhetoric of the leaders from Tehran. The Iranians we spoke with said that in recent weeks the local currency depreciated dramatically, the prices of goods skyrocketed, and inflation has spun out of control. When Razi, the owner of a textile store in Tehran, is told of the recent Israeli Facebook campaign under the "We Love Iran" banner, he laughs. "I would do a similar campaign. I love Israel," he says. "However, I have this slight concern that 10 minutes after my first post goes online, you'll find me hanging upside down from a city crane." Khatem, a real estate professional, says, "They can keep talking about Big Satan and Little Satan, yet aside from the religious fanatics, everyone looks up to the West. We want to be like in America, but wake up into a nightmare every morning." Iranians believe that anti-government protests will renew in full force after Syria's Bashar Assad will be toppled. "Once Assad falls, the ground here will start to shake as well," says Razi. Amir lives with his family in Isfahan, not far from one of Iran's uranium enrichment sites. He says that many Iranians aspire to be like Americans, and view Jews as true potential partners. "The problem starts and ends at the top, with our leaders," he says. "I can tell you with certainty, as one who hates the regime and wants it to fall, that the sanctions most certainly work."
2012-03-23 00:00:00
Full Article