This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/01/world/middleeast/divide-on-iran-nuclear-deal-hard-liners-vs-invisible-people.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Divide on Iran Nuclear Deal: Hard-Liners vs. ‘Invisible People’ Divide on Iran Nuclear Deal: Hard-Liners vs. ‘Invisible People’
(34 minutes later)
TEHRAN — In the little shade provided by Tehran’s Freedom Tower, a group of about 200 Iranian hard-liners, some with hats made of folded newspapers to protect them against the sun’s rays, sat in the searing heat Tuesday on blue plastic chairs next to blaring loudspeakers.TEHRAN — In the little shade provided by Tehran’s Freedom Tower, a group of about 200 Iranian hard-liners, some with hats made of folded newspapers to protect them against the sun’s rays, sat in the searing heat Tuesday on blue plastic chairs next to blaring loudspeakers.
Speakers railed against the devil, a.k.a. the United States, and its “oppressive” actions, drawing the usual chants of “Death to America” from the participants. They called for a “good nuclear deal” in the negotiations this week in Vienna, meaning one with few, or preferably no, Iranian compromises.Speakers railed against the devil, a.k.a. the United States, and its “oppressive” actions, drawing the usual chants of “Death to America” from the participants. They called for a “good nuclear deal” in the negotiations this week in Vienna, meaning one with few, or preferably no, Iranian compromises.
In the distance traffic rolled by. Even during the fasting month of Ramadan, Tehran and its 12 million inhabitants are constantly on the move, on their way to anywhere it seemed, except to this lonely meeting of the hard-liners.In the distance traffic rolled by. Even during the fasting month of Ramadan, Tehran and its 12 million inhabitants are constantly on the move, on their way to anywhere it seemed, except to this lonely meeting of the hard-liners.
If the long discussion over Iran’s nuclear program and a potential lifting of sanctions illustrates anything in Iran, it is the growing divide between those seeking desperately to hold on to the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and those with the desire to move on, at least a bit.If the long discussion over Iran’s nuclear program and a potential lifting of sanctions illustrates anything in Iran, it is the growing divide between those seeking desperately to hold on to the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and those with the desire to move on, at least a bit.
For the first group, political life is simple and safe. Iran’s hard-liners control several news media outlets, and have supporters in the judiciary, Parliament, security forces and the state television and radio organization. For the first group, political life is simple and safe. Iran’s hard-liners control several news media outlets and have supporters in the judiciary, Parliament, security forces and the state television and radio organization.
After several speeches in which their much-revered supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defended both the negotiations and the negotiators, the hard-liners can no longer openly oppose the nuclear talks. But they are allowed to criticize, and many have no faith whatsoever in a positive outcome.After several speeches in which their much-revered supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, defended both the negotiations and the negotiators, the hard-liners can no longer openly oppose the nuclear talks. But they are allowed to criticize, and many have no faith whatsoever in a positive outcome.
“Oh lofty Iranians, wake up! Don’t trust the foreigners,” Ali Reza Zakani, a former Revolutionary Guards Corps official, now a member of Parliament, told those present at the Freedom Tower. Many of the attendees nodded in agreement.“Oh lofty Iranians, wake up! Don’t trust the foreigners,” Ali Reza Zakani, a former Revolutionary Guards Corps official, now a member of Parliament, told those present at the Freedom Tower. Many of the attendees nodded in agreement.
They had gathered more than one million signatures to support their cause, one organizer said. But on a list of 5,000 signatories posted online, dozens seemed to have been listed twice.They had gathered more than one million signatures to support their cause, one organizer said. But on a list of 5,000 signatories posted online, dozens seemed to have been listed twice.
Iranian and international news organizations eagerly filmed the event, just as the organizers had hoped. “We are the people,” one of the speakers shouted into the nearly empty park surrounding the monument.Iranian and international news organizations eagerly filmed the event, just as the organizers had hoped. “We are the people,” one of the speakers shouted into the nearly empty park surrounding the monument.
In the distance Ali, 35, revved his 250-cc Honda motorcycle, shaking his head. The reality of those demonstrating was completely different from the one he lived in, he said.In the distance Ali, 35, revved his 250-cc Honda motorcycle, shaking his head. The reality of those demonstrating was completely different from the one he lived in, he said.
A factory worker, he said he had increasing trouble making ends meet, even working a double shift. “I do not care about nuclear energy. These people do not represent me,” he said, pointing at the rally far off across the square. “They are 200 out of 12 million.”A factory worker, he said he had increasing trouble making ends meet, even working a double shift. “I do not care about nuclear energy. These people do not represent me,” he said, pointing at the rally far off across the square. “They are 200 out of 12 million.”
Ali, who asked that his last name be withheld to avoid retribution, said there were many more like him. “I want a normal life,” he said, driving off into the traffic.Ali, who asked that his last name be withheld to avoid retribution, said there were many more like him. “I want a normal life,” he said, driving off into the traffic.
Few Iranians are as outspoken. Yet, most urban Iranians, forbidden to organize or hold demonstrations, want no part of confrontational policies, at home or abroad, asking instead for a more relaxed atmosphere, socially and politically.Few Iranians are as outspoken. Yet, most urban Iranians, forbidden to organize or hold demonstrations, want no part of confrontational policies, at home or abroad, asking instead for a more relaxed atmosphere, socially and politically.
In the privacy of their own homes, they have kept up with changing times. Statistics show that they divorce more frequently, have fewer children, connect to the Internet, watch satellite television and sometimes even spend a vacation on the beaches of Turkey or Dubai.In the privacy of their own homes, they have kept up with changing times. Statistics show that they divorce more frequently, have fewer children, connect to the Internet, watch satellite television and sometimes even spend a vacation on the beaches of Turkey or Dubai.
They seem to vastly outnumber the hard-liners, though it is hard to know by how much. Since the uprising in 2009, after disputed elections, when millions took to the streets, state television has shown them only when they confirm their love for the country, or when they party on the streets to celebrate a volleyball or soccer victory.They seem to vastly outnumber the hard-liners, though it is hard to know by how much. Since the uprising in 2009, after disputed elections, when millions took to the streets, state television has shown them only when they confirm their love for the country, or when they party on the streets to celebrate a volleyball or soccer victory.
“There is a sea of invisible people out there who seem voiceless, but they strongly yearn for a deal,” said Saeed Laylaz, and economist and political activist. “There is a sea of invisible people out there who seem voiceless, but they strongly yearn for a deal,” said Saeed Laylaz, an economist and a political activist.
Not that they have grand political ambitions in their support for a deal. “I want a deal because it will mean we will become less isolated,” said Monir Davari, 23, an interior design student. Others said they wanted jobs, lower prices, easier visas for other countries, more foreign investment; in short, a right turn in their country’s history, and they feel a nuclear agreement can facilitate that.Not that they have grand political ambitions in their support for a deal. “I want a deal because it will mean we will become less isolated,” said Monir Davari, 23, an interior design student. Others said they wanted jobs, lower prices, easier visas for other countries, more foreign investment; in short, a right turn in their country’s history, and they feel a nuclear agreement can facilitate that.
“I just want to be in touch with the world,” Ms. Davari said.“I just want to be in touch with the world,” Ms. Davari said.
That nonpolitical individualism is cultivated by the state and its controlled news media, said Hojjat Kalashi, a sociologist and political scientist, describing how only a select few are allowed to add their voices to the nuclear debate. “People are living completely different lives from those idealized by the state,” he said. “They have modest demands because they really don’t know their strength and size.”That nonpolitical individualism is cultivated by the state and its controlled news media, said Hojjat Kalashi, a sociologist and political scientist, describing how only a select few are allowed to add their voices to the nuclear debate. “People are living completely different lives from those idealized by the state,” he said. “They have modest demands because they really don’t know their strength and size.”
In Iran’s news media the debate is stilted, appearing only along the lines of political affiliations, with those in favor of a deal treading far more carefully than the critics.In Iran’s news media the debate is stilted, appearing only along the lines of political affiliations, with those in favor of a deal treading far more carefully than the critics.
On Tuesday, the mouthpiece of Iran’s hard-liners, the Kayhan newspaper, was blunt: There will be no nuclear deal, the editor in chief, Hussein Shariatmadari, wrote. “Like in the past 12 years of negotiations it will fail again in the final phase,” he predicted. “Both parties want a good deal, but have different definitions of what a good deal looks like.”On Tuesday, the mouthpiece of Iran’s hard-liners, the Kayhan newspaper, was blunt: There will be no nuclear deal, the editor in chief, Hussein Shariatmadari, wrote. “Like in the past 12 years of negotiations it will fail again in the final phase,” he predicted. “Both parties want a good deal, but have different definitions of what a good deal looks like.”
Shargh, a reformist paper, said there would be no signed agreement, but a “stated” agreement. Quoting an unnamed source, it said the deal would be divided into three different phases, in four-to-six-month periods.Shargh, a reformist paper, said there would be no signed agreement, but a “stated” agreement. Quoting an unnamed source, it said the deal would be divided into three different phases, in four-to-six-month periods.
As a result of the limited debate, many in Tehran say they feel disconnected from the political process and the nuclear talks. Having lived through multiple deadlines over the past years and having their hopes dashed over and over, most are taking a wait-and-see approach to the Vienna talks.As a result of the limited debate, many in Tehran say they feel disconnected from the political process and the nuclear talks. Having lived through multiple deadlines over the past years and having their hopes dashed over and over, most are taking a wait-and-see approach to the Vienna talks.
“We are experiencing deal fatigue,” said Hamid Joni, a greengrocer. “I don’t care about deals, I want a predictable future.” “We are experiencing deal fatigue,” said Hamid Joni, a greengrocer. “I don’t care about deals. I want a predictable future.”