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AirTalk

Iranian Americans in Los Angeles debate nuclear deal

A sign reading "Persian Square" overlooking Westwood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California, on March 15, 2012. A new reality TV show about the lavish lifestyles of rich young American-Iranians in Los Angeles has sparked angry claims it is degrading, and exploits the Persian community's image for ratings. The show is set in Tehrangeles, the name given to the West Coast metropolis's Persian community, where 20 percent of Beverly Hills' residents are of Iranian stock, said to be the biggest outside the Islamic Republic. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
A sign reading "Persian Square" overlooking Westwood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California, on March 15, 2012
(
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
)
Listen 15:03
Iranian Americans in Los Angeles debate nuclear deal

A vote in Congress on the Iran nuclear deal is slated for September, and both sides of the debate have been fighting to be heard.

Opponents want to push for a better deal, saying that the U.S. is conceding too much. Proponents say the deal achieves the basic imperative of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

An estimated 800,000 Iranian Americans live in Los Angeles and whether the deal goes through has specific resonance for Tehrangeles.

On the segment today, Larry talks with two Iranian Americans living in Los Angeles to share their perspectives on the deal.

Guests:

Nina Ansary, author of the book, "Jewels of Allah" and an Iranian-American historian in Los Angeles. She is a non-practicing born Muslim

Sam Yebri, president of Thirty Years After,  a nonprofit Iranian-American political advocacy group based in Los Angeles. He is an Iranian American Jew