These sanctions originated in the hostage crisis of 1979, when 52 Americans were held for over a year. President Carter froze all Iranian assets and instituted the sanctions. Today Americans remain a hated group in Iran, although many of those in power had nothing to do with the hostage crisis. These actions however are not reason enough to prevent us from opening relations. All of these things are symbols of the most conservative elements of Iran, and do not represent the reform elements, which the US must support.
Objections based on Iran's treatment of women or lack of civil rights are difficult to sustain.
On the issue of women's rights, Iran a record which is far better than some of our other allies in the Middle East. Material Copyright 2001 Vision Magazine unless otherwise noted. All Rights Reserved. 768 resolution and 32 bit color.