This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iranians-swayed-by-leaders-rhetoric-believe-united-states-invented-isis-9726308.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iranians swayed by leader's rhetoric believe United States invented Isis Iranians swayed by leader's rhetoric believe United States invented Isis
(about 1 hour later)
Many Iranians think that the United States is behind terrorist organisation Isis.Many Iranians think that the United States is behind terrorist organisation Isis.
Ordinary Iranians are beginning to believe their leader's rhetoric that Isis was created in order to counter Iran’s growing influence in the region.Ordinary Iranians are beginning to believe their leader's rhetoric that Isis was created in order to counter Iran’s growing influence in the region.
Last week Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said he considers Isis an America ploy to regain a foothold in Iraq and fight Iran’s ally Syrian President Assad.Last week Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said he considers Isis an America ploy to regain a foothold in Iraq and fight Iran’s ally Syrian President Assad.
Speaking to a gathering of clerics he said: “We have evidence, we know”.Speaking to a gathering of clerics he said: “We have evidence, we know”.
In the piece, published yesterday, The New York Times’ Tehran bureau chief Thomas Erdbrink drew on his decade of experience based in Tehran, citing numerous examples of ordinary Iranians’ belief in America’s involvement.In the piece, published yesterday, The New York Times’ Tehran bureau chief Thomas Erdbrink drew on his decade of experience based in Tehran, citing numerous examples of ordinary Iranians’ belief in America’s involvement.
Yesterday state television, often the main tool for spreading propaganda, claimed to show images of Senator John McCain, a right-wing Republican, meeting with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the caliph of the self-titled Islamic State (IS).Yesterday state television, often the main tool for spreading propaganda, claimed to show images of Senator John McCain, a right-wing Republican, meeting with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the caliph of the self-titled Islamic State (IS).
However, sceptical Iranians such as English literature student Mehdi Mirzaei, 27, said to Mr Erdbrink: “It is essentially a terrorist group of the extremist Muslim sects of the region against the other sects.”However, sceptical Iranians such as English literature student Mehdi Mirzaei, 27, said to Mr Erdbrink: “It is essentially a terrorist group of the extremist Muslim sects of the region against the other sects.”
“I am pretty sure that America is not support Isis. That is all nonsense.”“I am pretty sure that America is not support Isis. That is all nonsense.”
Yesterday, President Obama promised to “degrade, and ultimately destroy” Isis on the eve of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Iran has previous on this count. Mr Kamenei has insisted that Al Qaeda was a creation of the CIA and that the Taliban were created by western powers as a means to thwart Iranian ambitions. Yesterday, President Obama promised to “degrade, and ultimately destroy” Isis on the eve of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Iran has previous on this count. Mr Kamenei has insisted that al-Qaeda was a creation of the CIA and that the Taliban were created by western powers as a means to thwart Iranian ambitions.