The relationship between Persian youth and Western culture has often been discussed, but how does Iran's youth view the negotiations on a nuclear deal.
For years, the fear of Iran developing nuclear weapons has been a contentious source of debate among Western politicians across the spectrum.
The framework deal now being negotiated involves Iran freezing sensitive nuclear activities for at least 10 years while participating world powers gradually ease certain sanctions. Despite U.S. Congressional resistance and the tenuous nature of such agreements, the talks mark a welcome dialogue to get beyond the longstanding diplomatic void.
From the viewpoint of Iran's youth culture, any completed deal could have a significant impact on their lives, specifically in areas where sanctions affect the economy and cultural restrictions. Following the Green Movement of 2009, the relationship between young Persians and Western culture has received much greater attention. Although many took to the streets in protest following that year's disputed election results, the repressive government response dimmed momentum for social reform until recently.
To get some insight into how young people in Iran view the current negotiations, Vice set out to learn from individuals who have dealt with the effects of repression while maintaining their desire to achieve greater liberty.
As a result of the restrictions they still face, Persian youth are adopting a new approach to achieving more social freedoms — a sort of quiet yet assertive brand of civil disobedience that seems to be taking conservatives in the government by surprise.
The piece cites the death of Persian musician Morteza Pashaei, who succumbed to stomach cancer at the age of 30 last November. Affectionally called the "Emperator" (translating as Iran's emperor of pop) the musician's death prompted spontaneous gatherings and vigils in streets across the country. Even with restrictions against Persian women singing in public, the government did not intervene to stop the musical tributes to Pashaei.
Those interviewed by Vice offer their views on how a nuclear agreement could help change the course toward peaceful cooperation between Iran and the West. By opening lines of communication, the divide between Persian youth and the Iranian government could start to give way to greater understanding and tolerance for the kind of collective expression Peshai's music inspired.
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