Hassan Rouhani - no picnic for him at home either

[fadedrose]

He's staking his presidency on this deal. I think as long as he is alive, this agreement has a good chance of succeeding.

I remember when he visited America a couple of years ago that he seemed fond of America, waving and smiling at everyone. And according to Anthony Bourdain (CNN) the people of Iran want peace with America.

Ya, they've been pretty shoddy over the years, but we DID install Shaw Pahlava who was hated by the people, but they're willing to forgive that.

Let's hope that this succeeds!

Good job Obama, Great job, Kerry!! Rough seas ahead.

[madokie]

1. My best friend in high school went to Iran

to work. He was a tool and die maker. This would have been the late '60s early '70s and he loved it there. Of course he being partially of Cherokee blood his facial features and complexion made him look like an Iranian so he was accepted right off long before anyone realized that he was an American there working. He spent a couple years there and would tell me stories about life in Iran then. Said, best I remember, that it was a beautiful country and the people for the most part, liked us. Of course there were those who didn't but he didn't have much interaction with those people.

[MADem]

2. Americans had no difficulty in Iran until 1979.

February, to be precise.

Then it got difficult--not from the people, they're great, not stupid, very capable of nuance and open and understanding of differences, most of them...but the leadership is the problem.

Teheran was a very international city in the seventies, you couldn't go anywhere in the north of town without tripping over Russians, Chinese, Brits, all sorts of continental Europeans, Middle Easterners, littoral Africans, etc. Out in the countryside the nation was and is more homogenous, but the capital was the crossroads of the world back then.

The President of Iran is not an independent actor. He is a bit like a signal flag, his biases or tendencies reflect those of the people--but only slightly. He is under the thumb of, and served with the grace and favour of, the Guardian Council. If they detect that he's getting too touchy-feely-liberal he'll get sick and die. Or something.

The Guardians determine who is even allowed to run for the Presidency. Rouhani was not the people's choice--he was the "most liberal allowed" by the Guardians.

[Fred Sanders]

3. Iran has their own versions of Tehran Tom and general category war whores.

[fadedrose]

4. Ayatollahs

Religious people cause so much heartache, suffering and war, all in their god's name...

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The Guardian thinks he has popular and political support

Thousands take to Iran streets to celebrate the historic nuclear deal

Conservatives may be opposed to the deal but most Iranians are hailing it as a diplomatic landmark that will ease economic problems and boost progressives

Thousands of Iranians took to streets late at night to celebrate the news of the nuclear agreement in Vienna, with jubilant crowds singing and dancing to mark a defining moment for the country 36 years after the Islamic revolution.

People in the capital, Tehran, and other major cities gathered outside after iftar, the evening meal to break the day-long fasting during Ramadan. There were reports of drivers on Tehran’s long, tree-lined Vali Asr street honking horns and people with hands raised in V-for-victory signs and waving from open windows.

Young Iranians danced in Vanak square in north Tehran. Such behaviour is officially banned in the Islamic republic but was tolerated in such a rare moment of national unity.
...
Analysts and pundits across the political spectrum welcomed the success of the diplomatic marathon that peacefully resolved the 12-year confrontation. Iranians hope the deal and the lifting of sanctions will end their country’s international isolation, ease its economic problems and allow it to play a bigger role in the region.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/14/joy-in-tehran-at-end-to-isolation-but-hardliner-reaction-to-nuclear-deal-feared