TEHRAN, Iran—For some Iranians, the most important question raised by the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers has nothing to do with uranium enrichment or the prospects for the country’s economic recovery. They want to know: Is the Big Mac coming back?
Since the July 14 announcement of the deal, the question of McDonald’s return to Iran—a possible byproduct of the anticipated lifting of Western economic sanctions—has stirred a storm on social media and in dueling reformist and hard-line newspapers.
Many young Iranians are excited by the prospect of a quarter pounder and supersize fries. Others express despair that a preeminent symbol of American culture may not return soon enough, or possibly ever.
In a sign of how seriously the issue is being taken, a leading conservative cleric condemned the idea of McDonald’s return in a sermon at Friday prayers in Tehran, a venue that typically offers insight into the thinking of the religious elite.
“Some people wish McDonald’s to return to Iran,” said Reza Taghavi, one of the country’s most influential hard-liners, who often reflects the views of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “We cannot stop criticizing it.”
The debate reflects how much worry conservative protectors of the Islamic revolution have about potential cultural invasions from the US and the lure that American consumerism may hold for Iranians, particularly the young.
It also demonstrates the intense politics surrounding all aspects of the nuclear agreement in Iran, which is strongly opposed by many hard-line factions. Taghavi raised the issue as part of an argument about why conservatives should continue to criticize the government of President Hassan Rouhani, which negotiated the nuclear deal. Though the government is voicing support for its deal with America, the clergyman said,
“America is always our enemy.” Mashregnews, a web site that reflects the views of hard-liners, recently carried a story describing McDonald’s food as a threat to public health and citing demonstrations against it. The web site also denounced Coke and Pepsi, jeans and Marlboro cigarettes. It attacked what it labeled as hypocrisy by Iranians who avidly buy up US brands, while joining demonstrations and shouting “death to America.”
McDonald’s return has been a polarizing issue in the country for some time. The company, which had restaurants in Iran before the 1979 revolution, says it has no plans to return. But, it has fed speculation by posting on its web site an application that would-be franchisees can fill out in case plans change.
Two decades ago, it appeared McDonald’s was about to return to Iran. But conservative leaders and newspapers began speaking out against the idea, and a hard-line militia attacked the site of a proposed restaurant before it could open. Instead of McDonald’s, Iran got knockoff versions, including a restaurant called Mash Donald’s. It was not the same, locals said.
TNS