Iranians blame govt for sanctions return

Tehran : Many Iranians blame their own government for the return of US sanctions. Much of the damage was already done in the weeks preceding the return of sanctions, as US President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric spooked investors and triggered a run on the rial. That only added to deep-seated problems of corruption, a chaotic banking system and rampant unemployment after decades of mismanagement.

“Prices have been increasing for three or four months and everything we need has become so expensive, even before sanctions returned,” said Yasaman, a 31-year-old photographer in Tehran. Like many in the capital, he believes Iran’s leaders will be forced to return to the negotiating table, as Trump hopes. “I hope it will happen one day. Most people believe the politicians will have to drink ‘the poison cup’ eventually,” said Yasaman. Most Iranians have tuned out the endless US hostility, with which they have lived for four decades, so their anger is mostly directed at their own leaders.

“Prices are rising again, but the reason is government corruption, not US sanctions,” said Ali, a 35-year-old decorator. Like many, he sees President Hassan Rouhani as powerless to improve things. “He can’t solve the problems. It’s been shown several times that he is not the decision-maker in this country. Our problem is our representatives and system,” he added.