"Small Shaitan" or a great friend: what do they think of Russia in Iran?
Now Iran is not only important economic partner of Russia, but also its key militarypolitical Ally in the Middle East. In Syria, the Russian and Iranian military are constantly interacting, fighting against terrorist groups on the side of government forces. Unites Russia and Iran and the common confrontation between the two states with the United States.
However, if we leave aside the ups and downs of modern geopolitics, relations between Russia and Iran have never been simple. History knows several Russian-Persian wars, the entry of Soviet troops into Iran, the persecution of any pro-Soviet forces by the shah regime. Of course, in Iran, many believe that Russia collapsed the Persian Empire, taking from Persia the rich and vast lands in Transcaucasia - Azerbaijan, South Dagestan, part of Georgia.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran openly declared itself as an adversary of the USSR, calling the Soviet Union a "small shaitan," and the United States a "big shaitan." During the war in Afghanistan, Iran assisted mujahideen groups fighting against the Soviet army. After 1991, the situation began to change, and now Iran and Russia are allies. But has the attitude of the Iranians towards Russia and the Russians changed?
Like any Eastern people, Iranians are hospitable people. Therefore, no one will offend the Russian tourist who came to visit Iran. However, this does not mean that the Iranians are free from stereotypes regarding Russia and Russians. The first among them is Russian women. Iranians admire the beauty of Russian women, and Iranians try to imitate them, lightening their skin and performing plastic surgery to remove the famous Persian hump of their nose. But, appreciating the beauty, intelligence, sociability of Russian women, many Iranian men consider them to be easily accessible, and this, in turn, gives rise to frivolity, greasy jokes about “Russian Natashas” and about Russian men who “cannot control their women”.
In the East, and Iran is no exception, in general they are very critical of European civilization, to which Russia belongs. The religious factor plays a role - eastern people like to remember low religiosity, licentiousness, alcohol or pork.
But at the same time, Iran has a lot of positive attitude towards Russians and Russia. So, Russians are respected as a strong and brave nation. Nevertheless, one should not forget that Russia is now opposing the United States - the “Big Shaitan,” which Iran considers its main enemy. Impressive Iranians and the success of Russians in sports. In addition, Russians in Iran are considered a very reading nation, and in the East, the book is loved and respected. Ordinary Iranians think that Russians almost never part with books - not only at home, but also in public transport.
In general, given the long decades of tensions between the countries, we can conclude that in Iran there is not much known about Russia. If relations between our states grow stronger, then the attitude of Iranians towards Russians will also change - silly stereotypes will give way to an adequate perception of the Russian people and the Russian state.
However, if we leave aside the ups and downs of modern geopolitics, relations between Russia and Iran have never been simple. History knows several Russian-Persian wars, the entry of Soviet troops into Iran, the persecution of any pro-Soviet forces by the shah regime. Of course, in Iran, many believe that Russia collapsed the Persian Empire, taking from Persia the rich and vast lands in Transcaucasia - Azerbaijan, South Dagestan, part of Georgia.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran openly declared itself as an adversary of the USSR, calling the Soviet Union a "small shaitan," and the United States a "big shaitan." During the war in Afghanistan, Iran assisted mujahideen groups fighting against the Soviet army. After 1991, the situation began to change, and now Iran and Russia are allies. But has the attitude of the Iranians towards Russia and the Russians changed?
Like any Eastern people, Iranians are hospitable people. Therefore, no one will offend the Russian tourist who came to visit Iran. However, this does not mean that the Iranians are free from stereotypes regarding Russia and Russians. The first among them is Russian women. Iranians admire the beauty of Russian women, and Iranians try to imitate them, lightening their skin and performing plastic surgery to remove the famous Persian hump of their nose. But, appreciating the beauty, intelligence, sociability of Russian women, many Iranian men consider them to be easily accessible, and this, in turn, gives rise to frivolity, greasy jokes about “Russian Natashas” and about Russian men who “cannot control their women”.
In the East, and Iran is no exception, in general they are very critical of European civilization, to which Russia belongs. The religious factor plays a role - eastern people like to remember low religiosity, licentiousness, alcohol or pork.
But at the same time, Iran has a lot of positive attitude towards Russians and Russia. So, Russians are respected as a strong and brave nation. Nevertheless, one should not forget that Russia is now opposing the United States - the “Big Shaitan,” which Iran considers its main enemy. Impressive Iranians and the success of Russians in sports. In addition, Russians in Iran are considered a very reading nation, and in the East, the book is loved and respected. Ordinary Iranians think that Russians almost never part with books - not only at home, but also in public transport.
In general, given the long decades of tensions between the countries, we can conclude that in Iran there is not much known about Russia. If relations between our states grow stronger, then the attitude of Iranians towards Russians will also change - silly stereotypes will give way to an adequate perception of the Russian people and the Russian state.
Information