Iranians react to nuclear deal

From elation to frustration, Al Jazeera gauges the response to the Iranian nuclear agreement.

President Hassan Rouhani praised the outcome of the nuclear deal [EPA]

Tehran, Iran – Most people here, perhaps unsurprisingly, paid close attention to every detail, whisper and rumour that leaked out through the world’s media during the most recent four days of negotiations in Geneva.

When a deal was finally reached, the “expert” commentary and analyses that flooded the planet, dominating every TV news channel, were almost overwhelming.

Even here, on the streets of Iran’s capital, reactions were mixed, ranging from jubiliation to pessimism. Al Jazeera spoke to several Iranians about how they felt about the nuclear deal.

Elham S, 24
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[Hamid Gholamzadeh/Al Jazeera]

“I believe the two sides have agreed upon secret issues and are not going to reveal the truth of agreements.

“Politics is so complicated. They say something, but they have done something else and we, the common people, will have no idea about the reality.”

 

 

 

 

 

Nasim Rostami

“I am satisfied with the results of negotiations and [am] very optimistic about the future of this country.

“Domestic problems are being solved, one after the other, and I think this agreement would boost the economy. To me, a decline in the price of oil is the best indicator that the economy is improving.

“It shows the deal was good enough and everything will be better soon. Politics is very complicated and I don’t think ordinary people like me should get much involved in it.

“However, the deal affects the economy and our daily lives, which is important to everyone and should be paid attention to.”

Saba Dashti, 25

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[Hamid Gholamzadeh/Al Jazeera]

“I’m not interested in the result of negotiations anymore. My dreams are ruined and nothing can reverse the time to allow me to study abroad.

“I was just about to leave for studying in one of the British colleges. and I even paid £1,000 ($1,600) for tuition fees. But one day, I woke up in the morning and found that the British embassy was closed.

“Then catastrophe happened and value of the rial sharply dropped against the British pound.

“I did manage to get my money back, but my dreams were gone in vain – and though I’m happy with the deal, it is not that important to me – as it cannot realise my dream.”

 

Masoumeh, 36

“It was not a good deal. Iran should have not accepted a deal with the US. The United States would never do anything to benefit Iran.

“[The] Iranian team has gone too far and has given too much. I’m sorry the blood of nuclear scientists have been spilled in vein.

“Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Saeid Jalili were better negotiators, and preserved Iranian dignity and resistance in talks. They wouldn’t have signed such a deal.

“I don’t like the deal, but I do respect Ayatollah Khamenei’s reply and congratulations to President Rouhani’s letter.”

Ruhollah Naderlou, 36

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[Hamid Gholamzadeh/Al Jazeera]

“I have been following the proceedings and have read the full text of the agreement published in the media. I think [the] wording of the agreement is very strong and is written so professionally that, to benefit both sides, [each] can take their own account of it regarding demands in their domestic politics.

“Both Iran and the United States can interpret the statement in the way that best suits their interests.

“Neither sides have lost anything, yet they have won some benefits. I hopes this and further agreements would pave the way for better trade with outside.

“It is very important for Iranians that the deal has no demand to roll back or nullify nuclear achievements of the Islamic Republic. We have no intention to make atomic bombs, so Iran has easily accepted IAEA monitoring.”

Elaheh R, 29

“I do believe that the first thing about the agreement that should make everyone happy is the removal of sanctions on medicine.

“Such sanctions only target civilians and patients. Many patients and their families are suffering lack of medicine or high prices of drugs due to such inhuman sanctions. 

“It sounds good and I’m optimistic about its final steps. That easement of sanctions on spare aviation parts is a significant event. These kinds of sanctions are illegal, and many civilians have suffered losses for decades due to plane crashes.

“But what makes me worried is that Iran doesn’t seem to have anything else to give for the next rounds of negotiations. Iran cannot step back any more and it might make further talks and agreements more difficult.”

Hassan Meisam

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[Hamid Gholamzadeh/Al Jazeera]

“If you take a taxi or bus and go among people, you can hear many analyses and comments from ordinary people. What I have understood from many people I have seen in the past two days is that most of people are happy with the deal.

“Some people are happy, for they are optimistic about the future of the economy and their lives. But most people are not happy merely for their personal interests, rather for the easing of tensions as well as sanctions on medicine.

“Our people have many questions and, if journalists and the media do not answer these questions, foreign media will soon begin injecting their own bias.

“The people need to be considered, not Saeid Jlili, or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.”

 

Source: Al Jazeera