Iran regime ousts ‘Great Satan’ as enemy No 1
Protesters direct anger at supreme leader rather than America as renewed sanctions start to bite
STREET protesters in Iran this week chanted “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to inflation”, mimicking the “Death to America” refrain popularised after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
In the past when things were going badly, Tehran’s leaders blamed outside forces and its citizens largely believed them. “The Great Satan” was responsible for just about every problem. But this time it was different.
“Iran is trying to say Donald Trump is behind all our miseries, but it is only the House of Khamenei (the supreme leader) that is to blame,” said Murad, a father of three.
“People look at some of the majestic houses and villas and the lifestyle of a minority at the top and wonder how on Earth they have managed to have this when the majority are so poor,” said the 45-year-old electrician, from a working-class neighbourhood of the capital.
The value of the rial has dropped by 80 per cent since the start of the year, while food prices have doubled. The elite drive imported luxury cars and invest their wealth in gold when times get tough, while those at the bottom struggle to afford the basics.
Murad decided to join the demonstrations after his wages dropped and his youngest son lost his job, protesting for the first time in his life. “People are no longer blaming the president of a foreign country, they blame the leadership of this country,” he said.
Iran’s economy was already in such dire straits that few have felt the effects of the fresh US sanctions, which took effect last week.
Mr Trump called them the “most biting” yet, though in reality the so-called snap-back sanctions simply reimposed measures that were in place before the 2015 nuclear deal that the US president abandoned in May. They have only added to Iran’s deep-seated problems of corruption, a chaotic banking system, high unemployment after decades of mismanagement and its overreach in regional affairs.
Most see US hostility as a basic fact of life, so their frustration is being directed at their own rulers for not handling the situation better. “Iran is a very rich country but our government seems to be more concerned about the wellbeing of non-iranian people in the Arab world,” said Murad, who did not wish to give his surname for fear of repercussions.
There is growing resentment about how its oil money is being spent.
Iran has inserted itself at the centre of costly wars in Syria and Yemen and has spent billions propping up Shia Muslim proxies in the battle for dominance over Saudi Arabia.
“Not for Gaza, not for Lebanon. May my life be sacrificed for Iran,” demonstrators have come to chant.
Analysts say the disconnect between the people and the establishment has never been wider since 1979.
Hassan Rouhani, the president, who is seen by many as having failed to live up to election promises of reform, tried to quell the protesters this week by acknowledging their complaints, but ignored calls to negotiate a new deal with Mr Trump.
For now, he is banking on European signatories managing to satisfy Iran’s economic needs to keep the deal alive.
But Washington has warned that EU companies will face “severe consequences” if they continue to do business with Tehran.
A number, including Total, the French oil company, and Maersk, the Danish tanker operator, have already pulled out after failing to secure a waiver from the new sanctions. Greater unrest at home could see Mr Rouhani forced to reconsider.
“The sanctions and the tough line of the Trump administration will increase pressure on Iran to talk to the US,” said Golnaz Esfandiari, an Iranian journalist and analyst for Freedom House, the Us-based advocacy group.
Those on the streets today are mostly working class, angry at the spiralling cost of food and other essentials. The less-affected middle class has largely stayed home.
But that may change once the newly imposed sanctions really start to bite.
On Nov 5, a second wave will hit the vital oil sector, as well as shipping and financial transactions. Iran will see a large chunk of its oil revenue evaporate and Iranian banks will likely find themselves cut loose from much of the international banking system.
“With demonstrations escalating across Iran, the regime stands before a monumental crisis of how to contain two very serious domestic and foreign calamities,” said Heshmat Alavi, an Iranian political commentator.