Iran

After a quick visit to the Air Force Memorial, Herndon High Political Science students were the guests of Mostafa Rahmani PH.D, Director of the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Fatemeh Mohammadi who arranged this meeting. Below are excerpts from a fascinating Q&A and a wonderful luncheon. All statements are taken from notes my students recorded.

The United States and The Islamic Republic of Iran do not have diplomatic relations.  Therefore, Iran does not have an embassy in the United States. Iranian interests are represented by Pakistan though the Iranian Interests Section is in a separate building from the Embassy of Pakistan.

Connor- One of the more serious accusations against Iran is that Iran placed improvised explosive devices in Iraq designed to kill American soldiers.  What is your response to that?  ANSWER- It is absolutely just an accusation.  Iran doesn't support bombings and doesn't want to kill Americans or Iraqi's. We pray 5 times a day for peace and to cease killing. No country wants to cause chaos in neighboring countries.  No one likes a noisy neighbor. We have strong cultural links to Iraq and the Iraqi people.  Placing bombs in Iraq would not benefit Iran and it is against the Koran. Don't believe that accusation.

Lea- What do you think of the way the death of Neda has been used by those opposed to the government?  ANSWER- Your  media portrays unusual and unfair images. Neda was mysteriously killed in a remote area far from any protests. Neda was killed by those that wanted to make accusations against Iran.  Iran doesn't make the bullet Neda was killed with. Media bias in the U.S. blew this out of proportion.

Ken- In President Obama's inaugural address he said "If you're ready to unclench your fist, we are ready to offer our hand."  Did you find that statement insulting?  ANSWER- The Islamic world was open to the  Obama presidency.  President Ahmadinejad is a very open-minded individual.  Negotiations should be peaceful and just.

Shayma (center)- How do you think Jews in this country should view statements from President Ahmadinejad questioning the holocaust?  ANSWER- Scientists investigate things all the time, why should the holocaust be different?  People have a right to learn about the holocaust.  President Ahmadinejad is not denying it, just enforcing research. And there are more Jews in Iran than all of the Middle East except Israel. Israel wanted Iranian Jews to move to Israel but they stayed in Iran.  There are 20 synagogues in Teheran. There is a great Jewish hospital in Teheran which Ahmadinejad donated one million dollars to.  Jews have been part of Iran for 2,500 years.

Christeen- Considering Russia is a nuclear power on your northern border, Israel is thought to have nuclear weapons to your west and the U.S., a nuclear power occupying nations on your eastern and western borders, why wouldn't Iran want to acquire nuclear weapons?  ANSWER- Absolutely not! Iran does not want nuclear weapons.  Nuclear weapons do not distinguish between soldiers, civilians and  animals. We do not need or want them because it's not right according to Islam.  We cannot take the lives of others. But we do have the right as any other nation does, for nuclear power.

Rachel (right with Ryleigh and Shannon)- Did Iran feel betrayed when the first President Bush did not respond with a reciprocal "good will" gesture after Iran persuaded those holding American hostages in Lebanon to release them? ANSWER- I can't speak to that but after 9/11 we helped eliminate the Taliban and then President Bush said we were part of the Axis of Evil.  If the USA is a strong, independent country it is up to them to improve relations.

David-President Ahmadinejad was more popular with working class Iranians than those in the upper class.  What is it about Ahmadinejad that  commands this popularity?  ANSWER- Ahmadinejad was part of an unfortunate economic family, he had uneducated  parents. His dad was a blacksmith. But he is very smart and had the opportunity to improve himself. He worked very hard to become mayor of Teheran and then President. He favors the working class because he had it just as bad as they have it or worse.

Sun- What opportunity for better relations with the U.S. do you think 9/11 provided?  ANSWER- The door was opened for President Bush.  Negotiations should always be with bias and as equals.

CARSON- Did it bother you when the Iranian soccer team wore green arm bands showing support for those opposed to the government? ANSWER- It was disheartening to see such a gesture.  It was a bad trick they played. Most of the athletes are from wealthier neighborhoods. Very unfortunate. But the whole team was not in opposition.

Ralph- How would you evaluate the Shah's rule?  What are the prominent positives and negatives?  ANSWER- The Shah was not just. The Shah's relationship with the U.S. hurt Iran economically and culturally.  The Shah tortured students and committed acts against humanity.  This behavior was supported by the U.S. This spurred Khomeini against the government which caused the great revolution. We wanted to send him to court but the U.S. protected him and that is what started bad relations with the U.S. President Carter is an exceptional man though.

We are here to give you the truth and  facts without bias. Iran does not believe  in violence.  The Supreme Leader believes killing is wrong. Look at the history of the last 100 years, Iran has not attacked anybody. We believe what is says in the Koran; if you kill one innocent person, it like killing all of humanity. But we are always ready to defend ourselves.

We don't have a voice to Americans because of no diplomatic relations.  Because of that we are often misunderstood.  Don't believe what  you hear on Fox News or CNN, they are all the same.

We are a nation that is in balance.  You supported the Taliban then you were against them. You supported Saddam Hussein and  then you were against him.  

I think common sense will prevail and we won't be attacked by Israel or the United States.

Marissa- If the three American hostages charged with espionage are found guilty, what will happen to them?  ANSWER- This is an issue of little importance. There will be no violence done to them.  This is will be resolved quickly.

Shane- What is one thing in Iran/U.S. history you would like to change? ANSWER- There are many things we can look back on. The best thing that could happen would be for the U.S. to be a just nation.

Gonzallo(right)- Recently Israeli commandos captured a ship with weapons that were allegedly sent by Iran to Hezbollah.  What is your reaction to that and is Iran supporting Hezbollah?  ANSWER- It is untrue.  The media created it.  It is not Iran's ship.

Megan and Elysia

Your media cancelled programming to show how unfair our election was. The opposition party was in power for 16 years.  They were not cheated, they just lost the election. Even some polls in America showed that Ahmadinejad would win the election. There were large demonstrations for Ahmadinejad after the election but of course that is distorted by your media.

The war with Iraq was a great test for Iran because we had the same weapons capabilities as Iraq but had the self-control not to use those methods (poison gas, etc.) We could not use those because they are against our beliefs. But today we have excellent relations with the government of Iraq and we are building governmental and cultural ties.

Fatemeh Mohammadi- Iran is always thought of as suppressing rights of women. This is not true. We have been acknowledged by the U.N. for our work on civil rights. Women in Iran have surpassed men at universities and  there are women in business in business positions. But women must be recognized as being different than men.  It is very poorly thought of for women to seek to be like men. Women should be respected and revered as mothers. The literacy rates between boys and girls is even.

After the interesting Q&A, Yasmin, Aakriti and the rest of us enjoyed a wonderful lunch of Persian lamb, chicken, rice, vegetables, desserts and tea.

Marissa, Yasmin, Sydney

Connor, Gonzallo and Shane

Rachel and Amanda

Rachel presented gifts to Fatemeh Mohammadi for arranging and participating in this valuable educational and cultural experience.