(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Of: Najmeh Mohammadkhani The issue of Iran's nuclear activities has not only been a diplomatic matter, but has concerned everyone, and has been a daily topic of conversation for the past ten years. Political talks can be heard all over the city, in taxis, the metro, shops and in public places. Optimistic as well as pessimistic Iranians talk, comment and complain about political and economic dilemmas everywhere, and one only needs to be present in a place where there are people, to get an idea of how political decisions affect daily life. The recent nuclear deal signed in Lausanne has sparked heated discussions among Iranians. Many residents of the capital took to the streets, expressing their joy at the agreement by hoisting car horns, waving national flags and singing songs of thanks to President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Although last week was a holiday week in connection with the Iranian New Year celebration, many people eagerly followed the news broadcasts. Iranian families are very concerned about the agreement and its possible consequences. The Iranians have been exposed to many social, political and economic strains, and there is widespread optimism about Iran's future and relations with the rest of the world following the Lozan agreement. The population has had to deal with inflation of 44 per cent, economic decline and tense relations with other countries. It is not only investors in many fields who are affected by the nuclear talks, it also applies to ordinary people in simple jobs. During a visit to a beauty salon in the northern part of Tehran, we can overhear the following conversation between the hair stylist and the customer about the agreement in Lausanne: Stylist: This shampoo is the best, and it suits your hair type. You should use it daily. Customer: What does it cost? Stylist: $ 40 [1200 rials]. Customer: Oops! It's way too expensive! I bought the same one for $ 000 [15 rials] last year! Stylist: I know that. It's not my fault. There is inflation due to the sanctions. This product is American and it's hard to get – it's contraband. I hope this nuclear deal can lift the sanctions; then you can buy this shampoo for $ 450 again. Customer: Do you really care about politics? Stylist: Of course I do. It affects my job and my income. During these years I have lost many customers. They can not pay the current prices, and prefer to do the beauty work at home due to the double and triple prices that come from the sanctions and the economic downturn. The government has gone to great lengths to get through as much as possible, and I am pleased with the efforts of the Revolutionary Guards in the nuclear issue. Now we are face to face with the world, and can finally see results!
It is not just investors who are affected by the nuclear talks.
Ambivalent optimism. People in different professions have commented on this issue. Amin, a 32-year-old asphalt worker, has the following to say about the nuclear deal: "The consequence for Iranian and foreign businessmen is market stability and less risk for investment. On the other hand, foreign exchange transactions between Iran and other countries will increase, due to imports and exports that we have been excluded from due to the sanctions. " Ali Mohammad (52) is an investor and manufacturer of silk rugs from Qom. He says: “The market for silk rugs is the most sensitive market, as rugs are not a primary need. I hope that, after the sanctions are lifted, we will be able to export more carpets to the United States – for this country was previously the target of a third of all our exports. I look forward to better political and economic relations with other countries, first and foremost the United States. If this agreement is respected, it will change Iran's economic sphere, foreign exchange transactions will be easier, and thus the silk carpets can have more favorable market conditions in Iran and in the rest of the world. " Mehdi, 38, owns a watch shop in northern Tehran, and has major problems with late bank loans. He complains about the economic downturn of recent years, and declares: "In general, the agreement is good news, but it still has good and bad sides. A bad side is that the Iranians have had great political and economic burdens, and I feel that the agreement does not balance all the strains we have experienced in these years. And the Iranian government has sacrificed a good deal in an attempt to rectify some of this. A good side is that if the sanctions are lifted in the long run, we will be able to import more American watch brands. In addition, we will have more fruitful relations with the countries of the world – they will respect us more than they do now, as the world views us in the light of our government, which I find quite troublesome. " Saeed is a 39-year-old general practitioner. He is concerned about the lack of medicines in Iran during the sanctions, and believes that many patients have not been able to complete their treatment, or have been forced to buy medicines on the black market at sky-high prices. He adds: "If they lift the sanctions, we will definitely have a better economic situation, and more medical equipment can be imported to Iran. Several foreign medical companies will enter into contracts with us, and it will be easier for foreign exchange transactions. Unemployment will fall and welfare will increase. Money from workers abroad will be less important on the stock exchange. " The nuclear negotiations may superficially seem to have been a purely political issue, but on another level they have had serious implications not only for the Iranians' future, but also for their daily lives. As mentioned, the basic hope for the optimistic Iranians is that the sanctions will be lifted, and that there will be better relations both politically and economically with the other countries in the world. The Iranians want a strengthened national currency and greater bargaining power in the world market. Occasionally there are some pessimistic Iranians who are critical of the agreement because they see it as an agreement with only the United States, and not the rest of the five great powers. These Iranians are strongly opposed to building political relations with the United States, as they believe that the United States is looking to dominate Iran. Regardless of whether they are optimistic or pessimistic, the Iranians speak with some uncertainty about "lifting the sanctions". There are many "ifs" and "ifs" associated with economic and political well-being. The Iranians live in a country with a high degree of uncertainty and unpredictability, so they will continue to monitor closely the implementation of the nuclear agreement until 30.
