Growing Optimism Among Iranian-Americans About U.S.-Iran Relations
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Many economists predict the easing of trade restrictions with Iran are going to do little to revive that nation's troubled economy. But in this country, the largest group of Iranians living outside of Iran is in Southern California, and CNN's Jennifer Auther finds growing optimism in that community about the expansion of trade.</s>JENNIFER AUTHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Alex Helmi sells mostly antique Persian rugs in a section of West Los Angeles known as "Little Tehran." He is among an estimated 500,000 Iranian- Americans living in Southern California. Helmi welcomes news the U.S. is easing trade sanctions on Iranian caviar, pistachio nuts and Persian rugs. Before the lifting of the embargo, Helmi could only buy and sell rugs he found in the</s>U.S. ALEX HELMI, IRANIAN AMERICAN BUSINESSMAN: It is wonderful news for both Iran and for USA, because you know, more than 10 million people are affected in Iran.</s>AUTHER: For two decades, Helmi has made a living in the U.S., while the U.S. has held a policy of isolation and containment where Iran is concerned. (on camera): The United States routinely has banned imports from Iran since the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979, in which Iranian revolutionaries took Americans hostage and held them until 1981. (voice-over): But now, immigrants such as Steve Zand are encouraged by political reforms occurring in Iran. Specifically, Zand says he was elated by the election three years ago of Iranian president Mohammed Khatami, and last month's elections, which ushered in a reformist parliament.</s>STEVE ZAND, UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE LAW SCHOOL DEAN: I think this reformist movement, in its infancy, needs all the support, even if it is simply symbolic, that it can possibly get from the rest of the world.</s>AUTHER: It is the topic for talk radio station KRSI, which brings immigrants news and more, in Farsi and English.</s>MIKKI MOHODJER, KRSI RADIO HOST: They're looking at it very closely, the young adults that are growing up here, the professionals, hoping that they can maybe take those trips back home.</s>AUTHER: Alex Helmi will celebrate the new year in Iran this week. He says he knows pistachios, caviar and carpets won't impact much, but:</s>HELMI: I think it's a very, very good step towards, you know, normalizing the relationship. There is nothing better than friendship.</s>AUTHER: Jennifer Auther, CNN, Los Angeles.