As the Trump administration begins to reimpose sanctions on an Iran that is already facing an economic crisis, spontaneous protests are again springing up across the country.
This political unrest is unlike movements in the past, according to Iranian artist Parastou Forouhar. Speaking to German daily Die Welt, Forouhar said that this time, protesters’ anger was not directed at one political faction, but at the whole system.
“This crisis destroys the dignity of people, it destroys biographies. It’s a hopelessness that I have not experienced before,” the artist said. “And with the new sanctions, that will only get worse.
“The special thing about the current protests is that they are no longer directed only against the conservative camp within the power apparatus, as a few years ago, but also against the alleged reformers and moderates of the current government. It’s about the legitimacy of the whole system, ” Forouhar said.
“That’s why the disappointment is now all the more comprehensive. The middle class and bourgeois intelligentsia, who once paved the way for [President Hassan] Rouhani, are now disillusioned and paralyzed. That’s why the resistance is coming from below,” Forouhar said. “There the need is also greatest.
“The mistake of the West was to settle for Rouhani’s beautiful announcements.
“On social media, people are going back to speculation that the regime, as so often just before the abyss, gives way again,” Forouhar said.
But she pushed back on the notion that the Trump administration’s posture was the reason for this. “The protests began even before [US President Donald Trump’s] decision. And another impoverishment does not encourage political protest. In the worst case, that can lead to a chaotic civil war. ”
The first sanctions that will be in place starting this week will cover access to US dollar banknotes, the automotive sector and the export of metals, agricultural products, and carpets. A second step, coming in November, will see sanctions imposed on Iran’s vital oil sector. But the economic situation is already extreme. Over the past year, the Iranian rial has lost more than 80% of its value against the dollar.
This means extreme price increases for a population in which the official unemployment rate is more than 13% and at least one-third of the young working population has no job. For months, there have been protests across the country aimed at both economic misery and Iranian politics. Washington is increasing the pressure in a situation in which the country seems to be on the edge.
This could certainly all be true — it would be a normal reaction to a difficult situation — but to take the word of one "artist" seems a bit of a leap. Is this journalism or propaganda? Propaganda, clearly. Sounds a lot like the Voice of America, which itself sometimes says things that are true.
I agree. I have just returned from Iran. They are not stupid and they have seen what the Arab Spring resulted in. I think they will take the "devil you know" option – particulary with the constant example of Afghanistan and Iraq before them. Commentators fail to acknowledge how tough they are.
So the West commits to all out economic warfare against Iran and because it appears to be working that shows that the entire political system of Iran is illegitimate.Oh and we have to take the word of an artist to believe it. Not an economist, not a politician, not a political scientist but an ARTIST? For heavens sake at least dig up a qualified critic.
Thats like getting " Pussy Riot " to comment on the legitamcy of the Russian government.
Thats like saying communism does not work in Cuba while ignoring the all out economic warfare waged against it by the USA along with their blockade of the Island.
Or saying the Maduro Government of Venezuala is a failure while ignoring the all out economic war being waged against it by the USA.
Or communism was a failure in Russia while ignoring the fact that Russia almost single handedly fought and defeated Germany while the West sat on the sidelines cheering on the Germans. Then left Russia and the Soviet Union to rebuild itself after that devasting war, and the loss of some twenty seven millions of it`s citizens,adevasted country and at the same time urgently needing the rebuilding it`s military because the US and the UK were preparing to drop more than 35 atom bombs on Russia`s cities. Churchill was trying his best to have the US turn on Russia even before the end of that war.
You can prove that cetrain brands of cars don`t work if you go around pouring sand in the gas tanks of those cars. Voila, they don`t work.
One other question. When is the rest of the world finally going to have enough of the bombing campaignes, the invasions and occupations, the sanctions, and over throws of legitimate governments and gather up their guts and turn on the USA and the UK? China and Russia are working on it but they need the support of the rest of the world.
i would suggest that the illegitimate political system is not in Iran, cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, Yeman, Iraq, and Syria etc. , but a lot closer to home where those rapists of the world reside in the USA and UK.
I think a pattern is developing where the US uses the international banking system that it controls as a weapon. That is causing country after country to abandon that banking system. As in the case of Russia and China, at first it was in small things to test the water. Then it developes into a full blown resistance to the International banking system and abandonment of the dollar. Wiil Turkey be next? So far as Erdogen is concerned, it is no pain no gain. Perhaps he sees the pain his country is suffering now will result in gain in the long term. He is already showing signs of turning to Russia and China. it would appear that the US is shooting itself in the foot, both feet actually by the free use of sanctions and the international banking system to punish friend and foe alike. There is nothing like having your supposed friend putting his boot on your neck and pushing your face into the mud to make you begin thinking about making new friends.
well said Ne Pacific
Mary Machen ABSOLUTELY CORRECT MARY, THE CIA AND MOSSAD ARE AT WORK IN IRAN.THERE IS ALREADY A COUP BEING PLANNED AND IF IT FAILS THE WAR WILL COMMENCE.
WELL SAID!!!
If the Editorial of Asia Times respected its readers, never mind itself, it would rely on Iranians inside Iran dealing with sanctions, or at the very least, talk with Iranians who come and go to Iran, who are not in the pockets of their Western hosts, and whose life mission is not to topple the IRI, as this "artist" does. This would enable the editorial board to present a clearer picture of reality. The people of Iran are angry, absolutely. There is corruption in Iran, absolutely, prices are hurting, absolutey. But now they know that American and the Western policy makers are the brutes, and in fact, in spite of protests, their unity against the West is now complete. But presumably, this is not something the Asia Times is interested in reflecting.
The US is so powerful that they can cripple the economy of any country deemed hostile to them through unilateral sanctions.
Do you mean regime in North korea is legitimate?In what aspect?Moral,legal or both?Perhaps I have become intellectually challenged.
Piece of propaganda by agents of unholy Trinity of USA, Israel and Saudi Arabia against Iranian government and a part of the psychological war against Iranian people.
Are you a CIA agent trying to create a wrong image n tthe internal.problem of Iran ?
I don’t think it would lead to a civil war ,because they have a common enemy; the American capitalist who wants to get rig of the regime an take over their oil industry.
Just what they’re doing in Venezuela, Syria , and other state.
They’ve done it in Iraq and libya and they’re trying to do it again .