What Our U.S.

Intervention in Iran Has

Actually Been Doing To The Iranian People
Compiled Photo Editorial by Robert E.W. Padmore

Just recently, U.S. President Donald Trump reengaged tensions with the Iranian
government by assassinating Iranian President Qassem Soleimani. Many of the events after his
death scared both American and Iranian citizens of the possibility of World War Three. We often
fear what war could mean for us as Americans, and how our families could be affected. But
rarely do we consider what the people of the other country are experiencing, or in the case of the
Iranian people, have been for many years. The purpose of this photo editorial is to help reveal the
complexities of the situation in Iran, and to further examine how the Iranian people feel about the
United States.

AP Photo
Most of the recent conflict between the U.S. and Iran began with this. On January 3rd,
2020, President Trump ordered a missle strike to destroy the car of Iranian President Qasem
Soleimani. The U.S. government portrayed Soleimani as a terrorist. He was a fundamental part
of the Iranian regime, which had mixed perceptions among the Iranian people.

Mohammed Sawaf / AFP - Getty Images

Many Iranians have been protesting against the regime due to a lack of political
leadership. Soleimani was focused on military affairs more than he was with the people. During
the time period of President Obama’s heavy economic sanctions on Iran, the government failed
to accomodate for the people. As a result, the prices of necessary resources peaked, such as food,
water, gas, imported technology, and so on. While this happened, the purchasing power of the
rial (the iranian currency) decreacted. Middle and lower class citizens protested the regime, and
demanded a more democratic government.
 Alaa al-Marjani / Reuters
Trump’s actions, tweets, and new sanctions have shifted the Iranian perspective on
America’s government and the regime. Many of the anti-regime protests have gone silent. A new
wave of hate against President Trump and the U.S. Government has emerged because of it.

Arif Ali / AFP - Getty Images

 The popular phrase “Death to America” and the new “Death to Trump” have emerged in
the streets of Tehran. Many of the young adults in Iran’s capital are questioning which of the two
evils are worse: The American government which clearly does not care much about what
happens to their society, or the regime that seems more focused on keeping the upper class and
officials in power than looking out for the people.

Atta Kenare / AFP - Getty Images

President Trump has established new sanctions against Iran, that will make basic goods
like food more expensive. The price of gas in Iran was increased so that the government could
try and earn back some of the money it has lost because of the trade restrictions. The Iranian
regime has not done enough to balance out the losses from the sanctions, and the people are
suffering because of it.
 Andreas Gebert / AFP - Getty Images
Now more than ever, emigrants are leaving Iran for western countries like Germany, the
United Kingdom, and the United States. Iranian’s have the highest number of refugees seeking
asylum in these countries than any other middle eastern country, even Syria and Afghanistan.
Lower class families have had to send children off alone to make their way to Europe with what
little money they had. This is not only because of sanctions, but climate change and corruption.
The people have begun to lose faith in the development of the country.

Majid Saeedi / Getty Images

 When Americans see images like these, they get the impression that the Iranian people
wish to see America burn. They think that the Iranian people want them dead. But this is not the
case. Many Iranians share the same opinions as many of us: that was President Trump is doing in
Iran is wrong. U.S. intervention has destabilized the Iran economy and has forced the regime into
a difficult situation to get out of. These protests symbolise another message. The people of Iran
want the tensions to stop. It is time that someone took their side for once.