Of Andre Vltchek

Source: Comedonchisciotte
You have already considered the possibility that everything the Western media has told you about how the world is going, is nothing but a lie and pure invention?
I'm sure you did, at least in recent times, in which the madness of Western propaganda becomes so clear and evident. But how vast is the indoctrination to which you have been subjected?
If you live in Europe or North America, to what extent you have been poisoned by lies regarding Cuba and Venezuela, regarding Russia and China, North Korea and – without a doubt – regarding Iran?
You believe you are still recoverable?
If you could see the truth, and confront yourself with reality, you would still be able to recognize it, or you would perceive it as propaganda and lies?
I just left Tehran, city ​​with a formidable history and culture, overflowing with museums, of theatres, of beautifully maintained parks dotted with modern art sculptures. It is a city with modern and fully subsidized public transport, composed of a highly technological underground, ecological buses and trains connecting the suburbs. A city with big trees, quiet corners, elegant cafes and extremely polite and lovely people.
A beautiful cityscape of Tehran
A city that could easily be among the ten most important on the planet, if it were not the capital of a country that the West is trying to destroy, initially with draconian and unjust sanctions and then who knows, even with a military invasion.
What most Westerners know about Iran: what they were told? I believe that the image that the mass media wants to project is that of “Iran – a radical Muslim country, a sort of Shiite Saudi Arabia", or maybe, even worse.
Much worse, since Saudi Arabia, the closest Arab ally to London and Washington, it cannot be touched in the West, regardless of the terrorism and barbarism it spreads throughout the world.
Those familiar with both Jeddah and Tehran would laugh at such a comparison. Saudi Arabia and its semi-colony Bahrain, despite their oil riches, they are among the least forgiving societies on the planet, in them poverty is combined with the disgusting ostentation of the most extreme wealth.
Iran is an intrinsically socialist country. He is internationalist, completely in solidarity with the various oppressed and struggling countries on our planet. I'm not just talking about Syria, of Yemen or Palestine; I'm talking about Cuba and Venezuela, among many others. You didn't know it? It's not surprising: you are not supposed to know! You are also expected to remain ignorant regarding the Iranian social system, clearly socialist. Free education and medical care, largely subsidized public transport and culture, immense public spaces and, to some extent, a strong government and, at least in part, centralized planning.
Despite these absolutely unfair and terrible sanctions that have been imposed on him, with some interruptions, by Washington and its allies, Iran does everything it can to take care of its people. E, despite the terrible trials that the Iranians suffer, they do not resort to theft and deception. The exchange rate plunged after Washington imposed another round of aberrant sanctions, causing discontent and even demonstrations. But most Iranians know who the real culprit is, and it is no secret to anyone how the so-called opposition is often financed by the West.
Most visitors do not understand anything about the local currency or the exchange rate. I am no exception. I simply hand my wallet to taxi drivers or porters, and they only take what is due. I checked with my Iranian colleagues: and the amount that is withdrawn is always the correct one.
Iranians do not display “arrogant pride”, but they demonstrate a determined pride, timely and patriotic, typical of a nation with thousands of years of great culture that knows perfectly well that it is on the right side of history.
You have been told “To what extent is Iran religious”; I'm sure that's the case. But unlike Saudi Arabia or Indonesia, religion isn't thrown in your face here; nor is it waved as if it were a flag. In Iran, religion is something private, profound, which is expressed humbly and without fanfare. While the mosques of Jakarta broadcast daily and for hours at a time using powerful loudspeakers, while people are still thrown in prison today just for criticizing this brutal imposition of religion on the general public, in Tehran I barely heard the Adhan (call to prayer). Most women in Tehran cover their hair only in a symbolic manner- for a third or even a quarter, which allows him to keep most of his hair uncovered.
But the West would never impose sanctions on Indonesia or oppose it in any way, however brutal it may be to its own population. Washington, London and Canberra have already ruined the socialist current in Indonesia following the US-orchestrated coup in 1965. Jakarta now has a docile society, turbo-capitalist, anti-communist, who loves western antics and shitty entertainment. There is nothing public anymore. The elites have entirely plundered the country in the name of the West. Religions in Indonesia are used to support the pro-Western fascist regime.
Iran is quite the opposite: his interpretation of religion is “traditional”, as it was in various parts of the world before the West took over. It’s socialist, merciful, spiritual and yes – internationalist.
An Iranian having fun
Contrary to places like Jeddah or Jakarta, in which the pinnacle of cultural life is going out to eat ( and often the only option to enjoy city life), Tehran offers high-quality arthouse and arthouse film screenings (Iranian films are among the greatest and most intellectually relevant in the world), world-class museums and galleries, vast public spaces, if not a large number of sports installations and public attractions, including beautifully maintained parks.
Torre Milad in Tehran
You want to hang on to a rope and fly over a valley at one of the largest zip lines in the world? You can easily do this in Tehran. You want to see a series of Chinese arthouse films? You can do it in the magnificent building called the Cinema Museum. Or perhaps you are tempted by Chekhov or a play based on Tennessee Williams, if you understand a little about the process? Why not?
Certainly, you can get stuck in a terrible traffic jam, if you are in love with your car, as you would in Riyadh or Jakarta, but in this case you can cross the city in comfort and at low cost, aboard a super modern subway. You can walk on nice sidewalks, under large trees which in certain points press on special railings that delimit the pedestrian sections.
What else needs to be told to you? That you cannot look a woman in the eye or you will be stoned to death? A Teheran, everywhere there are couples holding hands and annoyed girls slap men, for fun and sometimes even seriously.
But you would believe it, if you could see it? Or it's too late, you have reached the point of no return?
One day, a driver who took me from my hotel to the Press TV studio, he exclaimed, despairing of the cause
“The Europeans who come here, even for the first time: they don't want to know. Even if they come to Iran for the first time, they land at the airport, they get into my car and start talking too much: they explain my own country to me! And then, they all come with the same story, the same critical vision on Iran. There is no variety! How can they qualify as coming from democratic countries when they all think the same way?”
Traditional dancers
A Teheran, the difference of opinion is absolutely evident. With my colleagues and companions we discuss everything, from the war in Yugoslavia, to Latin America and, Certainly, to Iran itself. They want to know more about Russia and China. I appreciate what I see and hear- when people are curious and respectful of other cultures, it's always a good start!
Iran is exhausted and suffering, but it remains a strong country. Not everyone approves of government policy (but many support the Government), but everyone is determined to fight and defend their country, if it is attacked militarily or by other means.
A child and his mother during a concert in Tehran
Every time I come here, I have this unstoppable urge to scream at my readers: come and look! Iran is not perfect but it is real – life and people are real here. Thanks to their culture and history, they know how to distinguish precious stones from scrap metal, thoughts clear from propaganda, deadly and cheap capitalism with great struggles for a better world. If you don't believe me, watch their films, one masterpiece after another.
This is perhaps the reason why the West wants to ruin and then totally destroy this country. For the West, this country is “dangerous”. Iran is dangerous, and even deadly for the imperialist order of the world as China is, as are Cuba, Venezuela, Syria and Bolivia.
I will also say that ruining Iran will not be easy: it might even prove impossible. Its inhabitants are too intelligent, determined and strong. Iran is not alone, He has many companions and friends. And its neighbors – Turkey and Pakistan – are also rapidly changing their direction, moving away from the West.
You don't have to take my word for it. Just come and see. But without preaching: ask questions and then if you feel like it, sit down, listen and learn! This country has more than 7000 years of extraordinary history. Instead of bombing, read his poets, watch his films, and learn from his internationalist position! Only then will you be able to decide whether Iran is truly your enemy or rather a good comrade and friend.
 
*Andre Vltchek he is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. He currently resides in Asia and the Middle East, continuing to work throughout the world. He can be contacted on his website and up Twitter.
Source: www.reseauinternational.net
Link: https://reseauinternational.net/he-vous-savez-quoi-ils-vous-ont-menti-a-propos-de-liran/
Translated from French for www.comedonchisciotte.org that SERENA I.