◢ Some young Iranians are determined to modernize their country and rescue it from economic collapse. But facing relentless US pressure and increasing hardship, many of the educated elite simply want to leave. In some ways things have improved for young people, but not fast enough to meet their heightened expectations. Today, they openly criticize the government and the system in a way that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago, but they feel ignored. "Officials don't listen to young people. They ignore their hopes, their views on life, society, religion, politics," said Ehsan, a 24-year-old student.