Iranian Neutrality: Death to Everyone

Radio Free Europe reported on the current state of the war. In that article was a snippet on the schizophrenic Iranian response. Traditionally, neutrality was good will to all, but I guess not so in Iran.

Also today, the war drew large protests across Asia and the Middle East in countries from Egypt to Indonesia. Tens of thousands of Iranians marched in Tehran to chants of both "Death to America" and "Death to Saddam." Iran's government has vowed to remain neutral in the conflict.

Comments

[*** Dave]

Well, neutrality can be from "good will to all," or it could be fear of all, or it can be wanting to make money from all.

In this case, at least, the Iranians are being consistent. I can understand the dilemma of whether to support the Great Satan or support the guy who started a war that killed hundreds of thousands of your people. I suppose deciding that both of 'em deserve to die is a reasonable (if unpleasant) answer.

[Rich]

The following article explains the situation better.

Although Iran is no friend of Saddam since the Iran-Iraq war, in which more than a million people died, the clerical establishment fears encirclement by countries friendly to the United States after the installation of a pro-U.S. government in Afghanistan, to the east.

Pro-Saddam news coverage appears to be turning off some Iranians who have access to Western media through illegal, yet common, satellite dishes.