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Two perspectives on Iran

Iran is again back at the top of the news. Apart from celebrating it's 31 year old Islamic Revolution - and the protests that has wrought - the announcement of the maverick Iranian President that the country is closer to being a nuclear power has caused more than ripples of concern around the world.

World Focus highlights 2 pieces on Iran.

First, this, on women in Iran:

"Iranian women have made remarkable strides in education during the last few decades; 65 percent of college undergraduates are female.

Correspondent Bigan Saliani and producer Richard O'Regan travel to Iran to explore tensions between the expectations of highly educated young Iranian women and the reality of their lives."

Second, the current street protests in Iran:

"As Iran battles dissent at home and abroad, hundreds of thousands of people showed their support for the government today.

Iranians took to the streets of Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of the revolution that created the Islamic republic."

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