The future of Persian carpet production in Iran is in doubt following worrying developments recently exposed by nuclear inspectors.
Following a visit to Tehran's Grand Bazaar, an off duty team of nuclear inspectors raised concerns over the designs they saw included in some carpets.
“Historically these carpets serve as works of art and include cultural nuances and values in the designs,” said one inspector, “I was looking through the designs for something with either a horse or eagle on to hang on the wall of my Texan ranch or chalet in Klosters. Imagine my concern when I saw depictions of a smiling President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad riding on a magic carpet with a nuclear missile under each arm and heading towards Israel.”
The discovery has led to further concerns across the Middle East and Europe about Iran’s alleged nuclear enrichment programme. UN officials have also expressed concerns over future indoctrination in Iran as Persian carpets are typically passed down through families as heirlooms.
“If Iranian children are presented with images of presidents riding magic carpets and are then in turn taught weaving skills which focus on this art then this is going to be one hell of a long haul magic carpet ride,” said a UN spokesman.
“Another worrying indicator is that Iran’s continued trade with China may see the spread of cheap imitations being sold in bazaars and street markets from Beijing to Petticoat Lane.”
Pressure is now being placed on the Iranian regime to reverse this trend and to restore the art to its traditional form before further sanctions are imposed.
A spokesman for the Iranian Government said, “The inspectors are absolutely mistaken. Yes, the image of our supreme leader riding on a magic carpet is true, but under his arms he has a couple of Dead Sea scrolls which were lost and which he is generously returning to Israel.”
Meanwhile in the UK, retailer Allied Carpets has denied reports that it has taken delivery of a pile of carpets depicting the Muslim Brotherhood beating up protestors in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.