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US-Iran Standoff Moves to World Cup Arena
Posted
November 29, 2022
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November 29, 2022
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0:30Now PlayingThe last time Iran and the US faced each other in a World Cup, in 1998, Iran’s team gave their rivals white flowers as a peace gesture before winning 2-1 in what state media called the “match of the century.”
They’ll repeat the fixture today as ties between the countries test new lows over accusations of foreign support for protests that have rocked the Islamic Republic for months.
For Iranian leaders, the match is a chance to rally the country behind their squad despite unrest at home, and maybe even humble the “great Satan” on the biggest stage in the world.
They blame the US for inciting protests where rights groups say security services have killed more than 400 people. A rare diplomatic opening also snapped shut earlier this year when talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal stalled.
Besides a propaganda opportunity for the state, an Iran win could affect the course of the protests, which erupted in September after the death of a young woman in police custody.
The judiciary announced the release of 1,156 prisoners, including some demonstrators, to mark last week’s 2-0 defeat of Wales. One member of parliament is calling for a national holiday if Iran beats the US, giving pro-government forces a chance to portray themselves in control. Any such day would likely be marked more by parades by loyalists than street protesters.
Iranian forward Karim Ansarifard sought a balanced tone at a pre-match press conference yesterday. Asked about what it would mean to beat the US, he said “we would like to make our people happy,” but added, “we will do our best to hold our country’s head high.”
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