They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani must have loved President Obama’s “Yes we can” campaign video, because he now has one of his own.
The video was posted on Mr. Rouhani’s official website, YouTube and a Twitter account reportedly run by his media specialist, The Atlantic reported.
“Let space and opportunity be given to all Iranians who are devoted to this land. Let those who are competent serve the nation. Let their hearts be cleansed from hatred. Let reconciliation replace anger and friendship replace enmity,” people in the video sing in Persian, Kurdish and Arabic, according to a translation by The Atlantic.
The clip features well-known actor and musician Amir Hossein Modarres, reminiscent of the star-studded cast that took part in Mr. Obama’s ad.
Although the style and delivery are remarkably like Mr. Obama’s 2008 black-and-white video, Iranian filmmaker Hossein Dehbashi, who lived in the U.S. for many years, insists that the idea “spontaneously” came to him, according to The Atlantic.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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