NOURNEWS: Simon Shercliff, Britain’s ambassador to Tehran, has shown a keen interest in Iranian traditional costumes. He previously shared videos on his Instagram account showcasing the celebration of Norouz and Yalda, which were held in the yard of Britain’s embassy in Tehran. Recently, he participated in various cultural activities associated with the last Wednesday of Iranian calendar named Chahar-Shanbeh Suri, including jumping over fire, engaging in Qashoqh-zani (a traditional ritual associated with Chaharshanbeh-Suri where individuals hit a bowl with a spoon in the neighborhood to receive candy and sweets), reciting Hafiz, cooking Ash (an Iranian traditional soup), and, of course, sharing the video on the Instagram account of the British embassy in Tehran.
Although Iranian culture and traditions are so rich and attractive that historically they have even captivated invaders like the Mongols, the meaningful selection of Iranian traditions alongside the contradictions these cultural expressions have with the political stance of his country towards the Iranian people, has raised a big question mark against the behavior of Britain's ambassador in our country.
This is particularly confusing when you consider the notion that Britain has always been one of the allies and followers of the US in imposing sanctions against our country. Sanctions have directly targeted the livelihood and health of citizens, fanning the fire of their dissatisfaction while attempting to negatively impact their lives and exert pressures on their daily life.
Media outlets associated with Britain, such as the BBC, have shown their true nature in critical moments of history. They have acted as platforms to give voice to terrorists who have martyred innocent children, women, and people of our country in religious places. They have even refused to use the term "terrorism" to describe operations like the mass killing of people in Kerman province.
The list of Britain’s atrocities against our people is a very long and repetitive story, which every Iranian can recall many examples of. Therefore, celebrating national Iranian rituals while deliberately ignoring religious ones, along with the obvious paradoxes between British behavior and the acts of the ambassador to Tehran, strengthens the notion that Shercliff’s actions are only understandable within the framework of a "cognitive war."
Lifting unjust sanctions against our people, apologizing for meddling policies, and empathizing with terrorists in Iran are actual tests for the British ambassador in Tehran that can reveal his true companionship.
He is the representative of his government and British diplomacy in Iran, and he has the authority to encourage his government to address these basic rights.
In other words, Mr. Ambassador, to show your goodwill, you'd better jump over these fires!
* "Siahbazi" is a Persian traditional performance in which a character with a blackened face tries to make the audience laugh, despite the fact that his lines are sad at times.
NOURNEWS