The Latest from Iran (27 December): The Day of Ashura

2225 GMT: Karroubi Comments. Mehdi Karroubi has issued a statement offering condolences for today’s martyred protesters and condemning those carrying out oppression: “The sins that you have committed today cannot be forgiven by God. If you don’t have a belief in God, at least be a human.”

Karroubi offered a sharp comparison, asserting that even the Shah respected the day of Ashura and gave orders for people to be able to commemorate it as they wished..

2155 GMT: Closing and Wondering. As we get to the end of the day, a tentative assessment of the signficance, "A 5-Minute, 5-Point Reaction to The Events of Ashura". (For those who want to see what 24 hours can bring, see our analysis yesterday in Edward Yeranian's article for the Voice of America.)

2150 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz reports that the brother of Abdollah Nouri, Minister of Interior in the Rafsanjani and Khatami Governments, was severely beaten in Isfahan today.

NEW Iran: A 5-Minute, 5-Point Reaction to The Events of Ashura
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December — 3rd Set)
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December — 2nd Set)
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December)
NEW Iran: A Tehran Map for Today’s Events
NEW Iran Uncovered: The Top-Secret Obama-Ahmadinejad Relationship
NEW Iran: The False US Friends of the “Iranian People” (An Open Letter to Charles Krauthammer)
NEW Latest Iran Video: Attack on Jamaran Memorial/Khatami Speech (26 December)
Latest Iran Video: Eve of Ashura Protests (26 December — The Jamaran Videos)
Latest Iran Video: The Eve of Ashura Protests (26 December)
The Latest from Iran (26 December): The Eve of Ashura Demonstrations

2040 GMT: Desperation. Press TV, citing Fars, reports --- presumably with a straight face:

A source with the Iranian Intelligence Ministry has announced the arrest of a number of Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorists in the anti-government protests that sparked in central Tehran.

At right, a stunning photograph to set beside the story: an anti-riot officer, wearing a green headband given to him by demonstrators, joins the "MKO terrorist" crowd.

2035 GMT: Martial Law?! Rah-e-Sabz is reporting that martial law was declared at 9 p.m. local time in Najafabad.

The website is also claiming "unprecedented police violence" outside the IRIB buildings.

2030 GMT: Ashura & Mousavi. A crowd have gathered outside Ebn-e-Sina Hospital to mourn and support the family of Mir Hossein Mousavi. Mousavi's nephew Seyed Ali died in the hospital today after being shot in demonstration in Enghelab Square.

2020 GMT: The US Comments. The White House has issued the following statement:

We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights. Hope and history are on the side of those who peacefully seek their universal rights, and so is the United States.

Governing through fear and violence is never just, and as President Obama said in Oslo -- it is telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation.

2005 GMT: AUT News reports on Internet chatter we've heard all evening: Mohammad Moin, the son of Mustafa Moin, former reformist Presidential candidate and Minister in the Rafsanjani and Khatami Governments, was arrested today.

2000 GMT: The Ashura "Martyrs" in Tehran. Rah-e-Sabz has named the five people killed in the capital today: Mehdi Farhadi Nia, Mohammad Ali Rasekhi, Amir Arshadi, Shahram Fraji, and Seyed Ali Mousavi.

1950 GMT: What We're Watching. Reports of clashes outside buildings of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and in squares and avenues across Tehran: Mirdamad, Karegar, Enghelab, Azadi, Tajrish, and 7 Tir.

1835 GMT: And Tonight? From a distance, it feels like the final round of a heavyweight boxing match. The challenger --- having landed some mighty blows and even putting the champion (if you can call the regime "champion") on the ropes --- has punched himself/herself out.

So the protests tonight are smaller, with security forces preventing a mass gathering. For example, groups tried to congregate in Mohseni Square but were contained along Mirdemad Avenue.

Yes, it feels like the final round. Except that you and I know it is far from the final round, right?

1715 GMT: I'm Telling You, They Set the Koran on Fire! That's Fars News' latest attempt to tarnish the protests (which only hours supposedly had not occurred).

1705 GMT: A 3rd set of videos from today is now posted.

1635 GMT: Rouydad is now reporting on the Arak protest and clashes, and we have video from there and Najafabad.

1550 GMT: Beyond Tehran. Josh Shahryar is summarising:

Protests in Mashhad can be confirmed now. Protesters gathered outside Grand Ayatollah Sane’i’s house and at Imam Reza’s Shrine. At least 17 people were arrested – most of them students. Many people were injured in clashes as well.

Protests in Babol can be confirmed too now. Many protesters – including a young girl – were beaten badly by security forces here.

The number of people arrested in Tehran has reached at least 10. The number is probably going to rise. At least 4 people were also killed here.

So far, the protests could be confirmed in Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Babol, Ardabil, Qom and Najafabad.

In addition, an Iranian source is reporting protests and clashes in Arak.

1510 GMT: Mousavi's Nephew Dead. A "close aide" to Mir Hossein Mousavi has confirmed the killing of Mousavi's nephew Seyed Ali by security forces this afternoon.

1500 GMT: Understatement of the Day. Press TV takes the gold medal: "The Iranian capital on Sunday witnessed sporadic anti-government protests on the anniversary of the Shia Muslim Ashura religious event."

Sporadic?

1420 GMT: Parleman News is reporting that Seyed Ali Mousavi, Mir Hossein Mousavi's nephew, was shot and killed in today's demonstrations. Mousavi was reportedly slain in Enghelab Square around noon local time (0830 GMT).

1350 GMT: Rouydad News is reporting clashes in Tabriz, with "probably at least four" killed.

1330 GMT: The Official Interpretation. Islamic Republic News Agency writes that a "cult of Mousavi" has caused chaos in Tehran, damaging public property and inconveniencing citizens.

IRNA also tries the story of a group of students out to cause trouble, with foreign media on hand to report "uproar and chaos".

Fars News reports on same lines,

1245 GMT: Taking the Streets? We have been busy looking at and uploading footage, starting a second set of vide0s, of the demonstrations. The images indicate that, at least for periods today, protesters have beaten back security forces --- despite the first deaths in months --- and taken control of sections of Tehran.

Rah-e-Sabz, still under cyber-attack, has reported, "Police forces are refusing their commanders' orders to shoot at demonstrators in central Tehran....Some of them try to shoot into the air when pressured by their commanders."

1135 GMT: Reports now of protests in Babol.

1130 GMT: Still a fluid situation with reports of gatherings and clashes throughout Tehran and in other cities. We have posted the first set of videos from today, including dramatic footage of protesters fighting back against security forces, especially at College Bridge (Pole Kalej). One report claims the forces relinquished Val-e Asr Square to demonstrators.

1025 GMT: Reformist websites are now confirming the 4th death. Reliable sources says a 5th person has been killed outside Amir Kabir University.

0955 GMT:  4th Death? Sources are reporting that a person has been killed in demonstrations at Vali-e Asr.

0950 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz confirms that its site is under attack.

0940 GMT: Mardomak confirms no live footage from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, unlike past years, of Imam Hossein Square in Tehran.

Meanwhile, Ironic Journalism Award of Day goes to Press TV. After showing ceremonies in Zanjan (but not Tehran), the channel reported very seriously that Moharram marches have been banned in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

0930 GMT: We've posted the first claimed video of today's protests and also the link to a useful map of Tehran.

0925 GMT: Beyond Tehran. Reports now coming in of protests in Isfahan, Shiraz, and Najafabad.

0915 GMT: Deaths of Protesters? Rah-e-Sabz (which is up but is difficult to access because of overload) is reporting three people killed and two injured in the area near Kalej Bridge (Pole Kalej).

0830 GMT: We are watching carefully the torrent of claims of clashes across the capital, including claims that security forces have backed away at certain points in the face of determined protesters. BBC has now posted, "Tehran police 'fire tear gas at opposition protesters'."

0815 GMT: Mardomak reports tear gas fired in Enghelab Square and clashes in Imam Hossein Square. After clashes at Amir Kabir University, the crowd has been dispersed.

0810 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz, before it went down, also reported tear gas at Vali-e Asr.

0805 GMT: Fancy a Lighter Moment? It promises to be an intense day, so if you need a break, have a look at our special world exclusive, based on minutes of investigative journalism, "The Top-Secret Obama-Ahmadinejad Relationship".

0755 GMT: Watching reports of clashes at Imam Hossein, Vali-e Asr, and Enghelab Squares.

0745 GMT: The reformist site Rah-e-Sabz, a key source in recent days for "Western" media, has just gone down. The site had just reported tear gas used in Enghelab Square and the closing off of Vali-e Asr crossing.

0740 GMT: Mardomak is reporting clashes at Ferdowsi Square and heavy traffic around Pol-e Choubi.

0715 GMT: First unconfirmed reports of clashes in Tehran, mainly at Imam Hossein Square and 17 Shahrivar Street.

0711 GMT: Nothing to See Here, Go Away. Press TV still repeating the history and religious background of Ashura over and over, against live shots from Taft. Just keep talking --- even though nothing new is being said --- and maybe no one will notice the current political context and events.

0700 GMT: Press TV are carrying live shots of the Ashura ceremony in Mashhad and Taft. No word of Tehran, however.

0655 GMT: The reformist website Rah-e-Sabz reports an "extensive security presence" in Tehran, noting in particular forces around Imam Hossein and 7 Tir Squares.

0640 GMT: Drama and Polemic. We've posted stunning footage of yesterday's attack on the Jamaran memorial.

And we've finally caught our breath to highlight our analysis of the embrace of the "Iranian people" by American "false friends", trying to use the movement to extend US power in the name of the "new birth of freedom".

0625 GMT: A hat-tip and a heads-up for coverage of events. While we were down because of host problems yesterday, we noticed the good work being done by the LiveBlogs of The Daily Nite Owl (EA correspondent Josh Shahryar) and of IranNewsNow. Both are already in action this morning.

0605 GMT: AUT News reports that, in addition to the disruption of the Jamaran memorial and the speech of former President Mohammad Khatami by plainsclothes "thugs" (see yesterday's updates), 2000 Basiji surrounded the mourning ceremonies at Dar al-Zahra last night.

Ferehsteh Ghazi has a detailed report, in Persian, of the events and violence at Jamaran. Robert Mackey's blog for The New York Times draws from several sources for a summary.

0600 GMT (0930 Iran time): The holy day of Ashura, marking the death of the third Imam, Hossein, at the hands of Yazid's forces at the battle of Karbala, has begun. Government forces reported "in large numbers at all intersections from Enghelab to Azadi Squares" in Tehran.

Comments

[naj]

Scott, the IRNA/FArceNews duo also confrm unrests :)
http://iranfacts.blogspot.com/2009/12/aand-official-iranian-news-agencies.html
lol!

[naj]

@Afshin,

yes I am following all that; and yes Iran seems to be on some path; the confirmation came from IRNA it seems :)

[onlymeandmyideas]

enemy of my enemy is my friend.
kayvon that is called politics.
this website doing an excellent job.
who cares who is paying them? for the sake of argument let's imagine they are CIA agents, does it mean they are biased? they are misinforming us of the event in iran? or they are distorting the facts?look it for yourself ! images don't lie.
well , you said you're in Tehran you tell us, give us one example of EA being what you think they are ( it is worth mentioning that EA doing an excellent job by compiling other people's work and input into a firm comprehensive news portal)
btw , kayvon , what do you think of youtube? or internet? I think CIA developed face book and even internet to get rid of khamenei
hahahahahhaha
Accusing and trying to put others down won't make you a bigger man.

[AZ]

I have a lot of respect for Enduring America, for keeping us informed. The BBC and other "leading" media should be ashamed of themselves.

[Schon fünf Tote « FREE I]

[...] Schon fünf Tote 27. Dezember 2009 — Thomas v. der Osten-Sacken Laut Endurinamerica ist die Zahl der getöteten Demonstranten inzwischen auf fünf gestiegen. [...]

[Megan]

Epersianradio reporter just reported that he is on Tajrish Bridge. He says helicopter after helicopter is landing in Jamaron and then takes off. People are chanting Akhond farari shodeh (mullah is escaping). A few callers also called and said there were rumors that Khamenei has been taken from his residence to a military base. In the meantime some of the roads to Mehrabad airport have been closed.

[ange paris]

I have remembered when somebody said , here on this blog, that iranian people are used to having this kind of regime and we have to put up with it !! now "my " people, my brave people have shown that it's not the case at all , and that they are not the "sheep" of the country ! I am so proud of them; they are our liberators ! our heros !! thank you !

[shangool]

Maybe Rafsanjani now will step in together with the army and squash IRGC once and for all.

[Megan]

Really hilarious!! We believe a story only when FALSE News confirms it? Let us make sure we record it in the pages of history that FALSE NEWS on December 27, 2009, 6 Dye, Moharram 10 confirmed “unrest” in Iran and Neo-cope said “Iran seems to be on some path”!!!

Hey, Iran has been on that “some path” for thirty years. It is time for skeptics and supporters of “taking baby steps” to hop onboard; we are getting there.
May God protect brave people of Iran.

[Afshin]

WOW WOW WOW WOW and again WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=198063&id=1836439222&ref=nf

[Babak Khorramdin]

I think that right now, Raf is as scared as Khamenei and his gang. No one from the "old" regime should feel safe when this is over.

[naj]

Megan, you need a few tutorials on how to have a sense of humor, and then you may work on your manners a little bit ;)

[Megan]

A caller from London says BBC is reporting that policemen who were surrounded by protesters have taken off their uniforms and have joined protesters. Can anyone in UK, confirm this news, please?

One of epersianradio reporter reports many injured and they have brought them home to attend to their injuries. Her voice was hoarse because of pepper gas. She said she had been beaten up and was covered with blood.

[Megan]

Mrs. Naj,

Excuse me, if I have no room for your sense of humor today. This is not a funny show, people are hurting and dying. And speaking of “working on manner”, I will when you do. I recall you calling me Mesbah Yazdi; is that considered good manner?

[Megan]

Afshin,

what is in that facebook, your post of 13:33??

[Afshin]

@ Megan...
It is a picture of Victory......

[ange paris]

Afshin
I was not able to open it ; could you post it in other form ?

[ange paris]

Megan
Do you have more news about Kh's escaping ?

[Megan]

Afshin,

Thanks, I hope to see the day of victory soon.

I am listening to the news that several people have been killed in other cities and many are injured in Tehran and other cities. I hope there is some truth to rats escaping the IR sinking ship.

[Megan]

Ange,

I have no hard facts. Only reports by several callers reporting that some of the roads to Tehran airport were closed. A taxi driver had said the roads to the back of the airport were closed and many black Mercedes were parked behind the airport. Also reports of unusual helicopter activity in Jamaron by eyewitnesses. Another caller said people were chanting Ahkond Farari shodeh. I just hope it is more than wishful thinking on the part of people.

[Afshin]

How about now, can u see the picture now?

http://94.100.121.138/825950001-826000000/825952201-825952300/825952239_6_gxjn.jpeg

[IRAN NEWS DIGEST: Iran News Di]

[...] from Enduring America here. Reports that Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew was shot and killed in today’s [...]

[Afshin]

Confirmed reports that the 20 year old nephew of Mousavi has been shot dead (Bullit was directly at the heart)

[Arshama]

Ghasedane Azadi reports on Facebook that the Bassiji station at Pol-e Hafez was set on fire (unconfirmed):
http://www.facebook.com/notes/freedom-messenger-ghasedane-azadi/pygh-mqwmt-bsyj-drpl-f-bh-ts-ksydh-sd/221696999589
ANother video of people setting up barricades on the streets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT5reNpWbyo

[Scott Lucas]

Arshama,

Is this incident (police station on fire) the one in the 5+ minute video posted in our 2nd set of clips from today?

S.