Are Iranians split on relations with United States? A
cleavage has finally appeared at all levels in the country – from Iranian
people to leadership and on top of it up to high clergy. A Tug of war between
moderates and hardliners is gripping across Iran.
Not many days ago, Iranian top leadership engaged itself in
the ‘correspondence’ and phone call diplomacies with the White House. Moderate
Iranian President Rouhani took the initiative in his country – something unthinkable
since last 34 years. Not surprisingly and not many months ago, he won the Presidential
election on his moderate agenda including normalization of ties with the West.
The hardliners are reacting too because they fear losing popular
support. Ayotallah Khatami now spearheads the reactionaries. They are trying to
revive the dyeing chant ‘Death to America’ which is on ventilator as new
generation Iranians are keeping themselves away from this slogan. They deem it
was previous generation who thought America is a Satan.
The result is a divide, a tug of war; senile versus
juvenile, past versus future and irrational versus rational – Khatami versus
Rouhani. For many thousand years, world has known that Tug of war may result in
catastrophic injuries and accidents. This conflict can damage internal fabric
of Iran.
The tradition of chanting ‘Death to America’ and burning American
and Israeli flags by hardliner revolutionaries after Friday prayers had been a
regular scene outside Tehran mosques since Iranian Islamic revolution was
staged in 1979. This 34-year taboo was broken by President Rouhani and President
Obama by connecting through phone call.
President Rouhani has overwhelming support from law-makers, intelligentsia
and masses for restoration of normal ties with the United States. On the other extreme,
Ayotallah Khatami labeled President Obama ‘liar’, the United States as ‘Great
Satan‘ and revived ‘Death to America’ rhetoric in his last Friday sermon. The number
of demonstrators chanting ‘Death to America’ increased this Friday as compared
to the previous one.
President Rouhani and Ayatollah Khatami reflect two opposite
poles and give a clue that Iranian establishment is now deeply divided about
relations with the United States.
Iran’s great strength after the Islamic revolution was
unanimity in almost all issues of national security and interest. The latest
development indicates that not only Iranian establishment but public at large
is divided on almost every issue – ranging from ties with the West,
confrontation with the United States and even more serious issues like nuclear
capability.
President Rouhani and President Obama are constantly under
pressure. Rouhani is under pressure from a large segment of parliament,
military and most important top clergy. President Obama is constantly under
pressure from Israel and a large part of the Congress.
How both Presidents will approach in policy making about
each other is the most difficult question to answer now. It is likely that the
Unites States would seek help from Iran in sorting out its endeavors in the
region, especially Afghanistan and Syria. A paradox to the American interest in
the region can be the internal Tug of war in Iran itself.
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