Rich Iranians unfazed by nuclear crisis

DIZIN (IRAN) - IRAN may be facing deepening isolation over its nuclear programme but, on the mountain slopes north of Teheran, skiers shrugged off suggestions of an escalating crisis.

Escaping the capital's smog and urban sprawl, well-off Iranians flocked to the country's main winter resort of Dizin for their New Year holiday to enjoy near-perfect skiing conditions in one of the world's highest ski resorts.

'People are trying to have a good time. No, I'm not afraid,' said Mr Manouchehr Sepehri, 68.

He was queuing for a lift taking skiers to pistes at up to 3,500m above sea level that still boast plenty of snow at this time of year.

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, only three days after Iranians celebrated their New Year.

The United States led calls for tougher penalties against Iran, but many on the ski slopes insisted they felt only friendship for the American people.

'I don't worry about it. I think there will be an agreement in the end. The mullahs (Iran's religious leaders) are very clever,' said Mr Kasra, a 32-year-old engineer who like many Iranians is wary of giving his full name.

They were speaking before the news that Iran had detained 15 British navy personnel in the Gulf and ahead of Saturday's UN vote on new arms and financial penalties on the Islamic republic.

Iran has lived under sanctions for many years - the US introduced its Iran Sanctions Act in 1995 - and people holidaying in Dizin said there was no point fretting about something they could not influence.

Even though Iranian officials dismiss the impact of sanctions, economists say they are hurting the economy and deterring investors in the world's fourth largest oil exporter.

'People can't do anything, they must accept the situation,' said one skier who was using Western- made equipment and sunglasses like others.

'They are happy, they are enjoying their holiday.'

Many of those who can afford skiing in Dizin, a two-hour drive along a winding and scenic mountain road from Teheran, are relatively wealthy and outward-looking.

Their views may not be representative in the country of 70 million people.

REUTERS