Iran: Questions for the "Green Path of Hope" and for the Government

The Latest from Iran (17 August): Waiting for the Next Manoeuvre

Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis

After all the manoeuvres and intrigues of the last 48 hours, this morning is wait-and-see.

On the opposition side, this has been illustrated by the confusion over the demonstration, originally scheduled for today, in front of the offices of the Etemade Melli newspaper, associated with Mehdi Karroubi. The gathering had been called by Karroubi's campaign but, after pro-Government forces did not fulfil their threat to demonstrate in front of and possibly attack the offices on Saturday, Karroubi called off today's event.

Late last night, activists around Mir Hossein Mousavi finally withdrew their "official" call to protest, but this morning the Twitter account supporting Mousavi continues to put out the message, "It's hard to undo announcement for protest. If protest goes on, it will be spontaneous and peaceful. You are media!"

The episode, which escalated from a specific situation (the defence of Etemade Melli) into debate over a general protest, is symbolic of the political challenges now facing the opposition. The immediate difficulty posed by the Government is the continuing threat of prosecution and suppression. Had the demonstration gone ahead with official backing, especially given Saturday's non-appearance by the pro-Government supporters, then Karroubi might have been subject to punishment and even detention. Even with the apparent withdrawal of an official gathering, the regime temporarily banned the publication of Etemade Melli.

The wider issue is that opposition now consists of a number of challenges to the regime, all centred around the legal, political, and religious aspects of detention, confession, and abuse. These are all significant: the Karroubi-Rafsanjani initiative for an enquiry into mistreatment of detainees, the possible query of the Supreme Leader's authority under Law 111 of Iran's Constitution, and the call for punishment of those who supervised the detention regime.

They, however, do not constitute a general "political front" or even a coordination of activity. Mir Hossein Mousavi's call on Saturday for a "Green Path of Hope" has been met by a marked silence by other opposition leaders, as they concentrate on the narrower and more immediate criticisms of the regime. While the political response is understandable, it does cause a problem for the public face of the Green movement: where now the symbolic moments for the mass expression of anger and hope that fueled the post-election response to the Government?

Meanwhile, President Ahmadinejad is trying to stop the clock ticking against his stay in office, announcing some of his Cabinet choices on Sunday and promising that all others will be placed before the Parliament on Tuesday. That is a down-to-the-wire strategy, given the deadline of Wednesday. While the conservative and principlist anger with the President has been muted over the weekend, it has not necessarily dissipated.

So, for the moment, as the Green movement considers its next waves, watch for the ripples within the Establishment. Will Parliament strike back at Ahmadinejad? And, given the continuing clerical and political statements and meetings over Law 111 (the latest being Mohammad Khatami's audience with former MPs), how secure is the Supreme Leader?

Latest Iran Video: The "Other" Larijani Speaks

The Latest from Iran (19 August): Challenges in Parliament and from Prisons

Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis

A reader points us to this video of Mohammad Javad Ardeshir-Larijani, the secretary of the judiciary's Human Rights Office and brother of the new head of judiciary (Sadegh Larijani) and Speaker of Parliament (Ali Larijani), as he accuses Mir Hossein Mousavi and his supporters of trying to undermine Iran. An English translation follows the video:

LARIJANI: We should note that when someone register for the elections, he fullly agrees with the system itself and the election procedure. Why does someone [like Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi] who does not accept the supervisors, rules, and the arbitrators of the election sytem even take part in this race in the first place?

Except that he has a different goal in his mind. Maybe these people felt the need to save Iranians, which has nothing to do with the goals of the election. Who gave these candidates the order and responsibility to lead or to write new statements every second day, which anger and worry people? The voters are being misled and that is a criminal act. The people who pretended to fully accept the "velayat-e-faqih" and the "Path of the Imam (Khomeini)", are now wearing a green scarf, but this is not the path of our Imam. His true path is the system of velayat-e-faqih. Thats what we call the "path of the Imam".

How can they claim that the accept the principles of the Imam but fight everything he stood for? Thats a wrong and bad thing to do and the Iranian people won't forget this bad behaviour. We shouldn't even give the enemy the opportunity to be happy even it is only for one second. They will soon regret this and the people of islam will defeat the enemy.

But why have our friends done that much demage? Why do they not even believe in the simple framework of democratic behaviour?...I feel sad when I read the statements of those experienced men and wonder why they use this kind of harsh language, which makes the enemy so happy. Why are they doing them this favour?

The Supreme Leader has the last word and he already stated how this matter should be treated. Our politicians shouldn't forget that we are responsible to defend and secure the national interest. Its our duty to do so. Even if we see that some injustice has been done to us, we must ignore it for the sake of the national interest, because the national interest is supreme and we all must secure it.

The Latest from Iran (16 August): New Challenge to Khamenei?

The Latest from Iran (17 August): Waiting for the Next Manoeuvre

NEW Iran: “Beloved and Popular” Mr Ahmadinejad Wants to See You in New York!
Iran: The Battle over the Judiciary and the Republic’s Future
The Latest from Iran (15 August): Battles Within the Establishment

Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis



2200 GMT: Two late-night breaking stories. The first is the temporary ban on Etemade Melli newspaper after its publication of a letter from Mehdi Karroubi.

The second story is potentially bigger. Press TV's website reports that former President Mohammad Khatami met former members of Parliament and said, "We are the real protectors of the Islamic Republic not those who showed in recent months that they are uprooting the republic and Islamic nature of the establishment." Khatami expressed concern about the "illegal" attitude adopted towards the Iranian nation after the election: "Certain ongoing moves run counter to legal principles."

What Press TV fails to note is that those former members of Parliament issued a statement a few days ago raising the issue of the authority of the Supreme Leader. So this meeting may be part of the move to invoke Law 111 over the prudence and justice of Khamenei.

2005 GMT: Agence France Presse reports, "Iran released 24-year-old French academic Clotilde Reiss on bail Sunday six weeks after she was arrested on suspicion of spying, the French presidency said, adding that she is in good health."

2000 GMT: Revolutionary Road has posted a summary in English, including the names of the defendants, in today's third trial of post-election political detainees.

1905 GMT: And it's not just Press TV that is giving airtime to the opposition and "enemies" of the regime. An EA correspondent reports that Iranian state television, including IRIB Channel 1, is also carrying the denial of charges by an attorney for one of the defendants in today's trial in Tehran (see 1625 GMT).

1855 GMT: Press TV's website is now summarising, in fact almost reprinting in full, the latest statement from Mir Hossein Mousavi: “Our election campaign was conducted under the Constitution and the principles which the Iranian nation holds dear. We still remain committed to the same slogans.”

The article prints, without any critical commentary, Mousavi's memories of Election Night:

[At first] we thought that mismanagement was the cause of chaos. I, myself, made contacts with authorities of the country. On the election day, I called the Judiciary Chief [Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi] twice, the Prosecutor General [Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi] two times, the Majlis Speaker [Ali Larijani] twice, and the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] four times to raise issues about the pre-planned scenarios.

Mousavi, the former prime minister who worked under the founder of the Islamic Revolution, added that he had dispatched a team to see Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli, “but, surprisingly, he refused to meet” with them.

Mousavi's challenge to the regime is also featured: “We are confident that an atmosphere of mistrust would not have been created in the country if a fair attitude had been adopted [after the election], to the demands of the Iranian people, and if the media had been prevented from attributing the nation's will to foreigners and diverting facts.”


1700 GMT: In Case You Missed It. Yesterday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement calling on "Iranʼs leadership to quickly resolve all outstanding American citizen cases". These include the detentions of Iranian-American academic Kian Tajbakhsh, whose situation we have profiled on Enduring America, and three American hikers, who were seized when they crossed the Iraq-Iran border.

1640 GMT: Mir Hamid Hassanzadeh, who ran Mir Hossein Mousavi's Ghalam News website during the Presidential campaign, has been released on bail after 11 days in detention. Dr Saeed Shirkavand of the Islamic Iran Participation Front has also been freed on bail.

1625 GMT: Tehran Trial Twist. For the first time, an Iranian state media outlet has carried details of a denial of the charges against post-election political detainees. Press TV's website leads with, "The defense attorney of one of the post-vote detainees has described as 'severe' an indictment that charged his defendant with throwing a hand-made grenade."

The article continues with a specific description of the allegation against Meisam Ghorbani and the attorney's rebuttal rather, than as has been typical of state media reporting, focusing on the prosecution's description of foreign intrigue for a "velvet revolution".

1610 GMT: A Moscow Tilt against Ahmadinejad? The Russian company Megafon now denies that it will start a new mobile phone operation in Iran.

1600 GMT: More Cabinet Rumours. Hossein Sobhaninia, the deputy head of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Affairs Commission, has told Mehr News Agency that Saeed Jalili (currently head of the President's National Security Council) will be next Foreign Minister and that the current Defence and Interior Ministers, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar and Sadeq Mahsouli, will swap positions. He added that he was incensed by Ahmadinejad's failure to consult with the Commission before these cabinet changes.

1150 GMT: Yeah, Yeah, Whatever. Besides announcing some of his Cabinet choices on Iranian television, President Ahmadinejad trotted out the "foreign interference" line, on the same time that 28 more defendants went on trial. Ahmadinejad told the "West", "This time you clearly interfered in Iran's domestic affairs and you thought you would be able to harm the Islamic nation. You should be held accountable for your actions but we know very well the fuss you created in the world is not a sign of your authority but rather it is a sign of your weakness and downfall."

1110 GMT: An EA correspondent writes, "In the end the Intelligence Ministry did not end up in the hands of [Basiji commander] Hossein Taeb, but it appears that the IRGC [Revolutionary Guard] is as present as ever. According to Fars News, [Heydar] Moslehi was Imam Khomeini's representative in the Khatam al-Anbia and Karbala military bases during the Iraq war and, more importantly, the Supreme Leader's "representative with the land forces of the IRGC and deputy of the Islamic Propaganda Organisation". Hence he is a solid Khamenei acolyte with strong ties to the IRGC. He is also currently a deputy to Ahmadinejad for Islamic University Affairs and Khamenei's representative in the lucrative Waqf Foundations Qrganisation.

1100 GMT: Fars News has now published the indictment and photographs from today's Tehran trial.

1050 GMT: The two women announced today by President Ahmadinejad in his Cabinet choice, to lead the Welfare and Health Ministries, are Fatemeh Ajorloo, a conservative MP from Karaj, and Marzieh Dastjerdi, a gynaecologist.

According to Dastjerdi's biography, just published by Mehr News, she is a solid stalwart of Iran's health establishment, having served in the women's section of the Cultural Revolution Council and the top management of the Health Ministry. She is currently on the board of trustees of the Medical Sciences College of Tehran, of which she is also head of international relations.

1030 GMT: An Iranian website is reporting a statement from the "conservative" Society of Teachers and Researchers of Qom, whose members include Mohammad Yazdi and Ahmed Khatami, calling on the Government to ensure detainees' rights and to curb illegal actions committed during arrests and detentions.

1015 GMT: Confusion on the Internet over the demonstration of support for Etemade Melli, originally proposed by Mehdi Karroubi for Monday. As we reported earlier (0720 GMT), Karroubi's office cancelled the demonstration after threatened attacks by Government backers did not materialise on Saturday. A Facebook site run by supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, however, continues to maintain the call for protest.

Because the newspaper is closely connected with Karroubi's party, also called Etemade Melli, and because the information on the party's website is co-ordinated with Karroubi, we are treating his office's announcement --- still the lead item on the website --- as the latest information.

1000 GMT: Back to our first story of the day. President Ahmadinejad has just spoken live on Iranian TV. He says the full Cabinet will be named on Tuesday, but some names have been confirmed. Two women, for the Welfare and Health Ministries, will be proposed. Hojatoleslam Moslehi will be nominated as Minister of Intelligence. Ahmadinejad promised at least one more female minister in the full Cabinet.

0940 GMT: A New Challenge to Khamenei? On Friday, we reported and analysed the first wave of a constitutional move against the Supreme Leader's authority, with the statement of former MPs and Ayatollah Dastgheib's move for an emergency meeting of the Assembly of Experts.

This may now be building from "significant" to "important" story with the revelation, in Mowj-e-Sabz, of "a second wave". A number of high-ranking clerics from Qom, Mashad, and Isfahan have sent an open letter to the Assembly of Experts, asking them to re-evaluate the credentials of the Supreme Leader.

Using the words of Law Number 111 of the Constitution, the clerics assert that the necessary conditions of prudence and justice that are essential for any Supreme Leader have not been met. Therefore, according to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence set by Ayatollah Khomeini, Khameini is and must automatically deposed.

Some cautions with the report: Mowj-e-Sabz has a marked political stake in the story, as it is the website of the Green opposition. And the names of the clerics are not known, as they have been withheld out of consideration for their safety. Still, if true, the report indicates the growing pressure against the Supreme Leader.

0755 GMT: Fars News has an initial report on today's trial of 25 detainees for incitement of "velvet revolution". The indictment accuses them generally of "creating chaos and general disarray after the recent elections" and specifically of making bombs and distributing weapons.

0750 GMT: Propaganda of the Day. Keyhan writes, "Girls that have been recently arrested in the latest unrest and their families" want Mehdi Karroubi to be taken to court and be punished. Keyhan claims that these girls and their families believe, "From the time Karroubi published his letter our friends and relatives look down upon us and our reputation has been besmirched....Karroubi is a power-hungry liar and we can only regain our reputation by proving the falsity of his statements in court."

0730 GMT: Further to our first update on 72 hours for the President. Ali-Akbar Javanfekr, Ahmadinejad's press spokesman, says the President will introduce his cabinet to Parliament on Tuesday or Wednesday.

0720 GMT: Mehdi Karroubi has responded to the attacks upon him in Friday prayers in Tehran:

Unfortunately a number of Friday Imams have abused the sacred position of Friday prayers and have used the market of false accusations, lies and infamy to sell their religion and have insulted the holy institute of Friday prayers....I had written a letter because I was concerned [about issues] and felt that it was my duty to respond, some individuals welcomed this letter others criticized it; however, this issue should not become a pretext for destruction, false accusations and insults. I welcome both approbation and criticisms; however, I can not remain indifferent to those who insult and those who have sold their religion for filthy lucre and I will most certainly respond to them in the near future.

Meanwhile, Karroubi's office has called off the demonstration of his followers scheduled for Monday: "Because the demonstration of the critics that was scheduled Saturday did not occur and the operation of Etemade Melli (newspaper) is continuing with no impediments, we are requesting that all supporters to demonstrate their good intentions by refraining from gathering arround the office of Etemade Melli. We would like to take this oppurtunity to thank public support that has been shown towards the personnel, editors and reporters of this newspaper....We would also like to thank the security forces that have maintaned calm and order around the office of the newspaper.

0700 GMT: Amidst a relatively quiet morning, we've concentrated on a special analysis on the fight over Iran's judiciary, marked by the appointment of Mohammad Sadegh Larijani as its head yesterday, and the wider contest between clerics, politicians, and the Revolutionary Guard.

At the same time, we're now starting to watch the clock on the future of the President. Not sure many have noticed, but Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has 72 hours to get approval from Parliament of his choices for Cabinet ministers. Otherwise, under Iranian law, the way is out for dissolution of the Government and new elections.

Iran: "Beloved and Popular" Mr Ahmadinejad Wants to See You in New York!

The Latest from Iran (16 August): New Challenge to Khamenei?

Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis

The image at right is of a document racing around the Internet. Ostensibly, it is a letter from the Pakistani Embassy, which represents Iranian interests in the United States, to Iranian-Americans inviting them to visit with President Ahmadinejad when he comes to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly:

Dear and respected brother, Mr.....

In addition to paying my respects and congratulations for the current religious festivities, I would like to take the opportunity to invite you to participate in a meeting and ceremony between the beloved and popular President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iranians residing in New York City. I would consider it a favor if you could also recommend any other trustworthy Iranians that you may know so that I may send them an invitation card. In consideration of the sensitive atmosphere due to recent events, we request that you take care in selecting the people you introduce so that God forbid the calmness of this meeting is not disturbed.

Head of the Interests Section, Mostafa Rahmani

Now there is no date on the letter. However, Mostafa Rahmani does indeed direct Iran's office at the Pakistan Embassy. So we're going to set aside any doubts and await, with great expectation, our invitation. It's not everyday you get to meet a "beloved and popular" President.

Iran Special Announcement: Supreme Leader Looking for (Facebook) Friends

The Latest from Iran (16 August): New Challenge to Khamenei?

Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis

UPDATE 16 August, 2035 GMT: Supreme Leader wants 2 click "Get New Nokia N97" ad on his page but worries he will put himself under surveillance.

Ayatollah Khamenei still has 39 friends.


UPDATE 15 August, 2040 GMT: Someone sends Supreme Leader "A Monty Python Gift": "The Spanish Inquisition!". Ayatollah Khamenei unsure whether this is for humour or guidance.

The Supreme Leader now has 39 friends.

UPDATE 13 August, 2110 GMT: Supreme Leader reportedly considers "Ultimate Rock Bands" and gives surprising answer, "REO Speedwagon". Meanwhile, he issues Facebook fatwas against Al Green, Green Day, and Green from Scritti Politti.


UPDATE, 13 August, 0745 GMT: So far the Supreme Leader has devoted himself to posting links to his past speeches. Is there a clue, however, in this Google translation of one of the entries (and, yes, this is true): "Validation ceremony...Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani's death 72 years".

UPDATE 12 August, 2115 GMT: Rumour that Ayatollah Khamenei worried about potential rival after discovering "Nibbles for Supreme Leader" group. Iranian forces being mobilised to stop perpetrators of this "velvet revolution".


UPDATE 12 August, 1040 GMT: Supreme Leader considering whether to click on ad on his Facebook page "Want Six Pack Abs? Feel the burn, shed unwanted pounds, and get ripped." Not sure whether "get ripped" is good or bad thing in current political climate.

UPDATE 12 August, 0745 GMT: Dramatic News! Ayatollah Khamenei has accepted our humble request, and one of our Enduring America staff is now among his (34!) friends.


UPDATE 12 August, 0645 GMT: Ayatollah Khamenei reported to be disappointed with score of 105 in SCRABBLE. He can't believe "KHAR" is not allowed in English version.

The Supreme Leader still has 20 friends.


UPDATE 1945 GMT: Ayatollah Khamenei allegedly takes test, "What Sex and the City Character Are You?". Finds out he is "Charlotte". Disappointed as he wanted to be "Mr Big".


UPDATE 1810 GMT: Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly displeased that he shares his Facebook page with ads for "Prostate Treatment" and "Betfair Arcade".


UPDATE 1735 GMT: Mir Hossein Mousavi is not yet a friend of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Are you?

Well, I guess the Iranian regime won't be blocking Facebook again in the near-future. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei apparently has signed up for his own page, complete with appropriately artistic photograph. Don't know if he has poked anyone yet or posted a status update, such as "Wishing Mahmoud Would Get His Cabinet in Order", but he does have 20 friends.