The (current) Leader Visits the Hostages
Nov 3rd, 2009 by pedestrian
A fascinating video. Ali Khamenei is asking the hostage: “what do you need? do you have any problems here we can fix? Regarding hygiene, food, accommodations … please let us know, we can fix it.” And the hostage keeps insisting that there are no problems except “the biggest problem of all”. Khamenei finishes it off for him: “the problem of being here? Well, we hope to god that the rulers of tyranny in the world will come to their senses and will release that Iranian criminal so that you can return home safe and sound.”
When they sit down, then Khamenei asks him again one by one: “do you have books to read? do you have baths? Is everything o.k.?” Once he answers, K. asks: “how long have you been in Iran?”
The man replies: “four years. But yes, there is a problem. Iranians are too taarofi. [that particular brand of Iranian chivalry, which Khamenei was using at the beginning.] When you go to their house, the keep insisting that you have to stay. They don’t want you to leave.”
They get into a very diplomatic, amusing argument. Worth watching.
This might be a silly question, but how is the accent of the American guy?
dmnari, he’s VERY fluent.
Wow, fascinating video! And yeah, the American guy’s Persian is better than mine, and I’m Iranian ;(
lol. They actually had an interview with this guy on BBC Persian, I think, last year and he retold this encounter. (Was BBC Persian even launched then? Maybe it wasn’t for 13 Aban) He had an amusing accent in that one.
Hey foruhar. That’s amazing. Do you remember what he said?