As Washington continues to signal to Teheran that it is close to joining Israel’s unprecedented campaign on its nuclear project, Iran Unfiltered is trying to get a sense from local Iranians about their thoughts on the matter and the situation at large. We spoke to Shareen, a university student who didn’t hold back, on early Wednesday morning. At her request, we are publishing the transcript of our call out of fear for her life.
E: Hi Shareen, thanks for agreeing to speak with us.
S: Hi Emily, if course, of course. I don’t have a lot of time, I am looking after my brother and sister right now.
E: Why is that?
S: My parents are both working outside the home – my mother is a nurse and my father is a cook for a restaurant making food deliveries. My studies are frozen right now so I am in charge now.
E: I understand, that must be very difficult for you.
S: It’s ok, but of course I would rather be with my friends. It is summer and this is the best time to be with friends.
E: Sure… Shareen, I understand you are a political science student. How would you feel if the Americans become directly involved in this conflict with Israel as they’ve warned they would over the past few years? Other Western countries have also said your country must not obtain a nuclear weapon.
S: This is a good question. And it is one we talked about long before the attack, among my classmates – not during class of course, it’s not allowed, but between us. We ask ourselves, how did our leadership make so many profound errors to isolate our country this way, to leave our economy crumbling because of sanctions?
E: Go on.
S: Yes, why does the regime care more about its nuclear program than feeding us? Then making sure we have gasoline, water, like we need now? This was happening long before the war, but of course now it is extreme.
E: And who is supposed to fix the situation?
S: Look, I did not participate in the protests before because I was too young, my parents would have made sure I didn’t leave anyway. But these protests did not help. Maybe we need to go back to the streets now, things are worse now. We must free Iran. Also, if the Americans, and the French, and the British, and anyone that cared about this region of the world in the past, can help us – then come! We are a proud people but we are not stupid. And you are British so please tell your government.
E: We will do our best to get your message out, thanks Shareen. Stay safe.
