Some hardline views in Iran are weakening
TEHRAN - Iran's Supreme Leader today called for a continued military buildup, apparently with little regard to the ongoing Vienna talks over the country's nuclear program.
Not everyone in Iran shares those hardline views.
Friday Prayer at Tehran's central mosque is more than a religious ritual. This is where Iran's Islamic leadership speaks its mind on politics, and sets out the hardline position on national issues.
Hardline religious conservatives still wield a lot of power in Iran, but huge chunks of society disagree with their politics -- and their policies.
Even the loyal foot-soldiers of the Islamic Revolution appear at times to have lost their zeal. At a ceremony this week , it was clear that members of the Basiji, an Islamic militia, had heard it all before.
Meanwhile, millions of young, educated Iranians have simply moved on, sidestepping the hardliners and their censorship.
Nader Talebzadeh, who hosts a talk show on regime-conttrolled state TV, admits it leads to some weird contradictions.
The president as a Twitter account, and he tweets his position on things and yet Twitter is blocked in Iran. "It's very paradoxical, as many things are, said Talebzadeh.
He agrees that it makes a mockery of the rules, but "it's not as crazy as some other things."
Other things like the constructive diplomatic relationship between Iran's Foreign Minister and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
While back in Iran, hardline supporters are still marshalled to chant anti-US slogans.
But why should America deal with a country that sends its people into the streets to shout "death to America?"
"If America showed some good faith for the past 35 years, not just now," said Talebzadeh. "Things would have been different."
But as to whether or not a year of talks is good faith: "I think that what's happening on the streets is one thing; what's happening at the table is another."
Exactly. Two Irans....and Two visions. Locked in an epic struggle to determined the country's future.
