Iran's Latest Export: A Viral Dance Trend That Has Diplomats Baffled
The internet has collectively lost its mind over a new meme in Iran, and it’s not about politics. Footage of a local festival has sparked a global trend where people attempt to mimic a specific, highly improvised folk dance that involves exaggerated hip movements and a deadpan stare. The irony? The same officials who once banned certain music videos are now having to explain why a shepherd’s spontaneous jig is the country’s most effective soft power tool since the saffron trade. Critics worry it might overshadow nuclear deal negotiations, but for now, the world just wants to know if the dance is for sale as a downloadable content for video games.