While Iranians seem less optimistic about their future, their capital city has actually become more liveable in some ways. Iranians last week enjoyed an extra three days off — a holiday declared by the government to improve traffic flow and security during a Non-aligned Movement summit. Those who didn't leave town headed for the mountains north of Tehran.
Washington correspondent Barbara Slavin waits to interview Iran's parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani Friday, August 31, 2012, in a room in Tehran's century-old parliament building. The walls and ceiling are decorated with bits of mirror in traditional Iranian style.
(Photo: Leily Lankarani )