“I wear jeans and I eat fake American fast food,” said Sasan, 26, seated in a cafe near Revolution Square, who, like others interviewed, asked that his family name not be used because of privacy concerns. “The Islamic revolutionary culture has not influenced our tastes. In fact, our parents’ generation has failed to instill revolutionary values in us.”

Indeed, many younger Iranians regard the storming of the embassy and the seizure of U.S. hostages — long considered iconic symbols of resistance — as rash acts that initiated decades of animosity and economic isolation.

“It was a blunder that my father’s generation committed,” said Amirali, 26, another cafe patron. “Why should we suffer for their mistake?”

Some here fervently anticipate an end to trade restrictions.

“My marketing professor was saying that if the United States and Iran resume normal relations, the Iranian middle and upper classes will rush to buy U.S. brand refrigerators, washing machines and so on,” said Sasan, an engineer enrolled in a marketing course to expand his skill set in a sanctions-ravaged economy. “I believe this 100%.”