Parvaneh Vahidmanesh
Editor’s Note: The following article is based upon interviews conducted with Iranians living inside Iran, but written by an author outside the country. The names stated in the article are pseudonyms in order to protect the safety of those interviewed.
When Iranian state-run television was updating its viewers about the latest developments of the Occupy Wall Street movement, the EU embargoed Iran’s oil. Immediately, the rate of the Iranian currency fell; one US dollar was sold for 21,000 rials. In addition, each government- issued gold coin was sold for ten million rials. The average Iranian’s reaction to the unstable and chaotic market varied from panic to depression to anger.
Reza Javadi, a carpet seller says: “Everything is in a stagnant state. People are all afraid. You can feel the silent before a disaster about to happen. Until yesterday, I talked to people who used to say nothing has happened yet, but following the European Union’s oil sanctions, people are really afraid now.”
Negar Rouhi, author and translator, says: “Every day in my office I translate a lot of documents for university students who are racing each other to leave the country. These days, more than ever, I feel the sense of fear and distrust on their faces. They don’t want to believe that the currency crisis is serious. But with the EU sanctions, it is impossible for the price of U.S. dollar to decrease.”
Soheil, a 35- year-old supermarket owner in central Tehran, is worried about potential food shortages in the upcoming months. “The situation is hopeless. We are reverting back to the worst days of the Iran-Iraq war. I am worried everything will be rationed again. With Iran’s currency problems, the price of meat has already gone up. Given the irresponsibility of Ahmadinejad’s government, the situation will even become more dangerous.”
Zohreh Davari, a worker in a drug factory who makes $400 a month and has four children, says: “I am already feeling the shortages. I don’t care about the price of the U.S. dollar or gold. I have never bought foreign currency or gold. What makes me afraid is the food price increases. Even now with my salary, I can only afford food for my children until the middle of every month. If the prices go up and salaries stay the same, we will die.”
Where are Khamenei and Ahmadinejad?
Mansour, a 30-year-old living in Tehran is afraid and worried after receiving the news of the EU’s oil embargo. He says, “I want to know why Ahmadinejad, who always has something to say about any topic, is now silent? I am sure he is going to say that these sanctions have no impact on Iran’s economy. However, we saw today that just the news of sanctions caused the increase of prices on many products. The sanctions have not even been implemented yet. By the middle of July, these sanctions will cause us to run out of foreign exchange reserves, which will result in more serious pressure on the people. Khamenei should walk out of his house on Palestine Street and explain our fate to us in the coming days.”
Sajdeh Hosseini, a father in Tehran, has a daughter who suffers from multiple sclerosis. He is forced to spend $500 a month on medication, while his entire capital amounts to only $4,000. He says: “This is my question for Mr. Khamenei, why have you let a madman like Ahmadinejad waste the wealth of a nation? What if we become like Iraq and the Food- for- Oil program? What if medicine is sanctioned and we cannot produce medicine for the sick? What if there is a war?”
He continued: “With sanctions, poverty, and a government that knows nothing but force, the condition of our society will only get worse. We will witness more drug addicts, thieve, and depressed people in the country. I am very worried about the dark days ahead of the Iranian people. I know the regime will save its own political demise with the help of its friends, China and Russia. But, the people and the structure of the society will erode from within. At the end, no one will be held accountable just like in the days of the eight-year war and the years after.”
Iranian Facebook users from inside the country were absorbed with the news of the EU oil sanctions. Maryam, a senior student at the University of Tehran, writes about her fear of sanctions: “I am afraid that one day we will be in dire need for our most basic needs such as food and clothing. Taxis have already increased their fairs.”
Mona, who works at the Shahid Beheshti Hospital, wrote on her Facebook page: “Now, I know how the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus felt after they woke up and realized their money is worthless. The only difference is that they slept for 300 years, but we have that feeling every morning we wake up.”
Parvaneh Vahidmanesh is a journalist and researcher of Iran’s contemporary history. She often writes about human rights issues in Iran. Vahidmanesh left Iran in 2009. She currently works for Freedom House as a Program Officer in Washington DC.