IRAN: Pride swells as Persia enters the Space Age

Many Western governments viewed the announcement this week that Iran had successfully launched a domestically made satellite into orbit as a menacing display of the Islamic Republic's growing rocket power.

But on snow-covered streets of Tehran, ordinary Iranians hailed the launch as a source of pride for the nation.

"Who could think that one day we would have our own homemade satellite?" said Ahmad Montazeri, the 48-year-old owner of a produce shop, warming his hands above the flames of a small fire along the sidewalk. "It is very important and we think we are entering a new phase in our development."

Western officials and analysts interpreted the launch as testament to Iran's growing mastery of missile technology, meant to show off the fact that the country can reach targets 1,500 miles away.

But with presidential elections less than four months away, the launching also made Iranians feel proud of their country and their government during commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, despite rising economic hardship under incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"They say Iran is one of the 10 countries in the world to launch its own satellite," said Mostafa Ahmadi, 54, a businessman. "If that's so, it is very important and we should be proud of our government.”

It was a source of pride even among the young, westward-looking students who were once viewed as a great threat to the stability of the Islamic Republic.

“I am very proud of it," said Mehdi Yousefi, 26, a student of hotel and restaurant management working shifts at Tehran's fancy Homa Hotel. "It is a real achievement for Iran."

He heaped praise on Ahmadinejad, grateful not only for the satellite launch but also for a government-backed student loan that finances his studies.

Still, not everyone was delighted. Among 12 million Tehran residents, many project a jaded "so-what-else-is-new" attitude that would be familiar to anyone who's spent a lot of time in New York City.

Taxi driver Shaaban Shaabani, wiping the vapor accumulating on his windshield, said he watched the rocket launch on television and shrugged.

"It does not make any difference to me," he said, noting that he can barely make enough to pay his rent. "We are leading a hard life, and we do not care.”

Butcher Ali Mohammadi, 43, said he wished the government cared as much about purchasing power as rocket power. "Why do people buy only a little meat every day? Why they do not entertain their friends at home with lunch or dinner? Why do I have to commute between Tehran and Karaj every day because I cannot afford a decent house in Tehran for my family with three sons?"

Still he said he hopes against hope the new satellite -- which happens to be called "Omid" ("Hope," in Farsi) -- will improve Iran's spotty cellphone service.

"I personally doubt it," he added.

-- Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran and Borzou Daragahi in Beirut

Photo: This photo released by the Fars News Agency claims to show an Iranian satellite launching rocket named "Safir-2" ("Ambassador-2") carrying the satellite "Omid" ("Hope"), photographed prior to launch Monday at an undisclosed location. Credit: Associated Press

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Comments

[Bijan]

I have a few words for both sides. For the westerners, no matter how much they deny it, it is obvious that they can't accept the fact that a so called "3rd world country" can do these things despite their objection. And for Farzaneh, where do you come up with this idea that "every penny in Iran's budget is accounted for?" Iran's regime sees itself accountable only to God. And when God comes into politics, people are screwed.

[Jennifer]

The problem is there is very little objective reporting about Iran . Each side says something about Iran . Who can we believe? I like to read some blogs from insiders, in the inner circles. Here is one I would like to share with other readers . www.ebtekarm.blogspot.com

[Reza]

To Farzaneh:

Whether you like it or not, Iran is a Muslim country and has a duty to help other Muslims when they are being unfarily brutalized by a tyrant.

Yes there are hundreds of prisons in Iran where they keep murderers and rapist before they eventually execute them, sorry for there families but they should have done a better job raising their children.

Every penny in the Iranian budget is accounted for, the unemployment rate is around 25% (government says 10-12%), and is actually getting better. Your right about one thing, when you left Iran in the late 70's the unemployment rate was just about 70% and that's with half the population there is now

Not everybody in Iran supports the governement, in fact about 45% of population hates the government, but majority rules so deal with it.

[Fredabod]

Absolutely fantastic job by proud Persians. US and other western countries with thousand s of nuclear warhead and with horrible reputations to dealing with other nations ,including wars and crimes which they have put on them are not in a position to preach a sovereign country like Iran to what to do and what don’t do. Forget about few short-sighted people in Iran who just think about their stomach; most Iranian are very proud of their scientists achievements. It’s time to teach those blind western regimes a new lesson. Thank you Iran.

[ali]

It was a very god job.
West could make a different position, welcome that and show how they respect Iranian acheivment. I am sure if this was made by a US freind or allay, US had congratulated already, but if it was by a muslim nation, even if this adminsration annonce a different approach, I dobut if they can make themselves to offer a congratulation.
Why west is against any acheivement in the Muslem World? Part of that is lack of trust, but this kind of positions are not help in this regard.

They say that they are freind of Iranian people, and there is no dobut that it was a great acheivment for Iranian people, so they should congradulate that, and show if they mean what they say.
They returned again to their old position of Iran fear mongring and claims about Iran's effort for hegemony in the region. This is not a healthy approach toward that big nation

[Claypot]

I think it's already a foregone conclusion that, no matter what Obama may say or has said, Iran will not be prevented to successfully acquire nuclear weapons. Especially now with a US president who wants to reach out to the Muslim world. And the Secretary of State? Was it not during her hubby's watch that Christian but commie Serbia (accused of building a Greater Serbia just for preventing Yugoslavia from being dismembered) got bombed into the Dark Ages by disproportionately more superior NATO forces. Just so that two new Muslim states----Bosniia-Herzegovinia and Kosovo--- can break-away from Christian Yugoslavia. Today's news announced Hilary Clinton making Indonesia as first Islamic (Muslim) country she will visit. Maybe on an errand to pave the way for Obama's official visit (or rather re-visit) there. Maybe this is just the start of Clinton's secret (or rather not so secret) agenda to create more Islamic (muslim) states. One in South Philippines, one in South Thailand. One in western autonomous region of China's Xinjiang. After all, wasn't Saudi Arabia the biggest donor financially to Clinton's (the wife, how about the husband?) election- campaign? Assalammulaikum.

[Farzaneh]

I wonder what the hundreds even thousands of families whose beloved are in the 100 prisons think about this "technology" when there is absolutely no freedom and when their children are at hanging poles? I do also wonder what 70% unemployed and hungry people who live under the poverty line, the hundreds of chit factory workers who have been struggling to live and are protesting risking their lives for a piece of bread while shouting "we are hungry", what do they think? And perhaps the good reporter could also investige on the millions of assets from oil revenue and their final destination! It certainly does not go to satellite building or filling empty bellies! Perhaps you can trace the real source back in Ghaza or Afghanistan in suitcases of dollars for pro-mullah terrorists! This is the technology resulting from appeasement! Yes ! please do re-consider! \it is about time we open our eyes to the reality: This regime is keeping its face (muddy waters helps does it not)

[E.T]

I guess this is Obama's mess now. Iran sure and the hell did'nt have the ball's to launch on Bush's watch!!

[Joe]

Good job, next goal for Iran should be to have ability to put satellite in geostationary orbit and eventually be affordable enough to compete as first class commercial delivery system!