Soccer revelers bring party to Iran’s capital. Large crowds throng the streets of Tehran in celebration of the national team’s win. By Ramin Mostaghim and Alexandra Sandels.. TEHRAN– The capital of the Islamic Republic has suddenly become a party town. For the second time in just a few days, large crowds of young revelers filled the streets of Tehran late Tuesday and early Wednesday in celebratory rallies. This time, the reason to make merry wasn’t political. Fans were rejoicing because the national soccer team had qualified for the 2014 soccer World Cup in Brazil after beating South Korea, 1-0. The victory in a tense match prompted thousands to take to the streets cheering, waving flags and dancing to the steady sound of honking car horns. Social media showed photos of smiling young men and women carrying Iranian flags, some with flags painted on their faces. The scenes were reminiscent of Saturday evening, when thousands poured into the streets to cheer the surprise victory of moderate cleric Hassan Rowhani in the presidential election. The president-elect has promised to promote dialogue in foreign relations and to grant more freedom at home. The twin celebrations have injected some life back into the Iranian capital, where the economic downturn and threats of conflict with the West have caused a general malaise. The soccer victory produced not only impromptu street parties but also some political sloganeering. End the house arrest of Mousavi and Karroubi! crowds chanted, referring to opposition leaders Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who were presidential candidates in the disputed 2009 election. Some young women chanted for an end to the female dress code. Soccer is a big deal in the Islamic Republic. Even Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, weighed in on the victory, albeit in his stern fashion. In the name of God,” Khamenei said, “the victory of the national football team has made many people happy, especially sports fans. I thank the dear footballers. –. Special correspondents Mostaghim reported from Tehran and Sandels from Beirut.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 12:50:40 +0000
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