A highly polarising issue, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran's nuclear programme divided analysts and officials into two camps: supporters of the plan and those who feel that it will lead to catastrophe for the West, the Gulf states and Israel. Growing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, coupled with the world's focus on the spread of ISIL and other extremist groups, overshadowed any opportunity to improve relations between the two rivals.
Missing from this debate has been the voice of average citizens on both sides of the divide.
The full article originally appears in The National News.