Reporting
Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement: Iranians torn between hope and skepticism
Audio 01:20
Iranians at the Tajrish market in Tehran on March 12, 2023. © Murielle Paradon / RFI
Text by: Murielle Paradon Follow
3 mins
Iran and Saudi Arabia announced on Friday March 10 an agreement to resume diplomatic relations after seven years of estrangement.
The announcement surprised everyone and was variously appreciated across the world.
But the Iranian population, affected by a movement of revolt in recent months and which finds itself in a disastrous economic situation, says it is surprised, skeptical, even annoyed.
A few others are hoping for a “
boost to the economy
”.
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From our special correspondent in Tehran,
Dressed in a long black veil, Zahra expressed her astonishment
at the announcement of the reconciliation between the two enemy brothers
, Iran and Saudi Arabia: "
To tell the truth, I was very surprised, we away from our positions
,” says the young woman, who talks about the war in Yemen, a conflict in which the two countries are opposed.
But Zahra welcomes the positive effect on the markets, "
a boost to the economy
", she hopes.
Indeed, a few hours after the announcement, the Iranian currency, the rial, regained value against the dollar, while it had been falling steadily in recent months.
This had caused
galloping inflation and a disastrous economic situation
for the population.
Some people therefore hope that the agreement reached with the Saudis will bring a breath of fresh air, bringing Iran out of its isolation: "
Any agreement with any country, whether it be Saudi Arabia or another, can open up a better future for us young people
, wants to believe Amir, a young engineer in an elegant suit.
So far, many have fled because of the bad economic situation.
»
But others show their skepticism.
“
The agreement with Saudi Arabia, I do not believe in it,
asserts Sepideh, azure gaze hidden behind sunglasses.
I think it is better to have an
agreement with the West
”.
This history professor from Isfahan wants the conclusion of a nuclear agreement to lift the sanctions that weigh on the Iranian population.
She mentions "
the poverty salaries of teachers and the students who do not make it
".
Iranians near the entrance to the Tajrish market in Tehran on March 12, 2023. © Murielle Paradon / RFI
“
The regime just wants to calm people down
”
Sitting on a bench, Farzad, in his sixties, accuses the regime of wanting to create a diversion with this agreement, a few days before the Iranian New Year, when the population is
hit hard by inflation
: "
The regime just wants to calm people.
A rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia
?
There are no more different countries, it's day and night, he quips.
They will not be able to agree on the big issues, unless Iran changes its positions.
»
Reza is a student and this agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, he has nothing to do with it: "
With the recent events in Iran, honestly, we don't care about this agreement with Saudi Arabia .
Maybe it's a way to influence people's opinion.
But we don't want an agreement, we just want to live on our own and do what we want.
»
For these young people
who revolted in the streets to demand more freedoms
, an opening to the outside will not be enough: they demand a radical change of regime in Iran.
► To read also: Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement: "We are witnessing the beginnings of a new regional configuration"
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