The Latest from Iran (30 December): Rallies and Rumours
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 18:44 
2205 GMT: The Iranian regime, as it blames foreign media for fomenting unrest, continues the attempt to block the services. Voice of America and BBC Persian report sustained jamming efforts.2055 GMT: The Hidden Story? An Iranian activist makes the interesting and important claim that the rumours around Mousavi and Karroubi have obscured a major story tonight --- "500 thugs attacked students with knives and machetes" at Mashhad University. We've got footage of the clash in our video section.
2050 GMT: Nothing has happened to change our opinion of 1915 GMT. We are treating Iranian state media's story of "two opposition figures" fleeing to northern Iran as rumour or disinformation.
2020 GMT: Reuters is carrying the opposition's denial of IRNA's story:
Hossein Karoubi, the son of moderate defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karoubi, said his father and opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi were still in Tehran.
"My father and Mr. Mousavi are in Tehran and IRNA's report is baseless. They are still pursuing the people's demands," Hossein Karoubi told moderate Parlemannews.
2005 GMT: Andrew Sullivan has gotten wind of what appears to be a five minute video of a group of security forces disarming after being surrounded by a crowd of demonstrators. We've added it to today's video page.
1915 GMT: Rumours. We're off on a 90-minute break. At this point, we consider the Islamic Republic News Agency story of the Karroubi/Mousavi flight to northern Iran "unconfirmed", with the possibility that it is either a rumour being elevated to "news" or a regime disinformation campaign.
Both the Karroubi and Mousavi camps have denied the story. It should also be noted that the rumour was being spread earlier today that Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard had been detained, and no confirmation has followed.
BBC Persian is interviewing one of Karroubi's sons about 1930 GMT.
1910 GMT: We've posted footage of demonstrations today at Shahryar Qods Azad and Mashhad Universities.
1905 GMT: The Regime Rally (cont.). Peyke Iran, which has published photos indicating a smaller rally than the "hundreds of thousands" cited by other outlets (see 1853 GMT), is now off-line. (1926 GMT: Website is back up.)
1853 GMT: The Regime Rally. CNN's Shirzad Bozorgmehr claims "hundreds of thousands" at today's gathering. He said that at Vali-e Asr Square, he could not get further because of the dense crowd. From a bridge, he watched an area from Imam Hossein Square to Enghelab Square, a distance of about 18 kilometres (11 miles).
NEW Latest Iran Video: University Protests (30 December)
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NEW Latest Iran Video: The Strength of the Regime? (29 December)
Latest Iran Video: Today’s University Protest (29 December)
Iran: A List of the Ashura Detainees
Iran: The Regime’s Fightback?
The Latest on Iran (29 December): A Desperate Swing of the Fist
1850 GMT: Mousavi Denial? It looks like Mousavi camp is also denying the IRNA story of "flight" to northern Iran, informing American ABC News that Mousavi is still in Tehran.
1840 GMT: Karroubi Denial of "Fleeing". Mehdi Karroubi's son Hossein has denounced reports that his father and Mir Hossein Mousavi "rumours" spread by Iranian state media. Hossein Karroubi says his father is still in Tehran "working for the people".
1820 GMT: Meanwhile, Some Rhetoric. Speaking to the Islamic Association of Students in Europe, the Supreme Leader said the Western condemnation of the recent events in Iran had been prompted by the influence of "Zionist media".
1815 GMT: IRNA on Mousavi and Karroubi? The Islamic Republic News Agency's account says two "riot leaders fled from Tehran" to Mazandaran amidst "demands for their punishment".
1810 GMT: Mousavi and Karroubi in "Protective Custody"? Returned from a break to find Rah-e-Sabz is checking an Islamic Republic News Agency that Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have been taken to a small town, Kalar Abad, in Mazandaran in northern Iran "for their protection" under the watch of Ministry of Intelligence and Revolutionary Guard forces. Rah-e-Sabz cautions that this might be a falsehood.
We are urgently checking the news.
1410 GMT: The office of reformist member of Parliament Nasrullah Torabi has been set on fire.
1403 GMT: The "Millions" and Ahmadinejad. Press TV is pushing the line that "millions" turned out today to demonstrate for the regime and against the Ashura "rioters", showing claimed footage from Shiraz, Tabriz, Gilan, Arak, and Sistan-Baluchestan as well as Tehran. Press TV is backing this up with coverage of the Maryam Rajavi statement (see 1000 GMT) as proof of MKO "terrorist" involvement.
The station also briefly features President Ahmadinejad's statement, issued after a Cabinet meeting, that "efforts to destabilise Iran would not affect the nation". and that the US and Western leaders should learn from their past mistakes.
1335 GMT: Rahnavard Arrested? Meanwhile, we're watching closely the rumour, which began circulating about an hour ago, that the wife of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, has been detained.
1308 GMT: That's pretty much it, as Press TV goes back to the studio for the anchorwoman and "analyst" (journalist Nader Mokhtari) to repeat the standard line of "masses" of "religious" Iranian people standing against a foreign-stimulated opposition.
However, mark this exchange: Mokhtari and the anchorwoman are at great pains to say "this isn't a pro-Ahmadinejad rally....this has absolutely nothing to do with the President of Iran". is not over the issue of legitimacy of President Ahmadinejad but "an outpouring of grief" and "the support of the establishment". Could this be a distancing of the defence of the regime from a defence of the President?
1258 GMT: Now the emphasis is on the "greatness" and "magnanimity" of the regime based on "religious jurisprudence", with the Iranian people as a model for all Muslims. However, "we should not remain passive" any longer and "we should take the initiative" against those plotting conspiracies.
1255 GMT: And Now the Warning. Ayatollah Alamalhoda says that a deadline should be set for repentance. If protesters do not repent, they should be treated as "mohareb" (enemies of God), with the attendant punishment.
1250 GMT: Heavy criticism of those responsible for "fighting" on Ashura: "the Leader of the Islamic Revolution invited the rioters to return to the right path".
1243 GMT: Speeches have begun with tagline, "We have to accept rule of current religious jurisprudence." Quickly, the theme is that the United States is pushing the "party of Satan" protesting against the Iranian regime.
The speaker is Ayatollah Alamalhoda, the Friday Prayer leader of Mashhad.
1236 GMT: A wider shot around the Press TV correspondent ("Iranian nation" against the "disrespect" of Ashura, 16 Azar, etc.) establishes that there are thousands in Enghelab Square.
1230 GMT: Etc., etc. Nothing new to report from the rally. You can just put our comments from 1147 to 1208 GMT, like the Press TV coverage, on a loop and replay....
....Adding this: "a red line has been crossed", according to the anchorwomen, with the opposition's demonstrations and disrespect on Ashura.
1208 GMT: Press TV's correspondent finally shows up on camera in a fairly tight shot, surrounded by a few dozen protesters. That doesn't stop her from claiming "millions" have turned out. Ominously, she emphasises the line that demonstrators are demanding the "punishment" of opposition leaders like Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.
1206 GMT: Ahh, Those Two Locations. It is now clear --- for those who have recorded this historic moment, follow a large black flag being fluttered --- that Press TV is claiming "two locations" for two shots from different angles of the rally in Enghelab Square.
1205 GMT: Press TV keeps trying to go to a correspondent, but she is still failing to show up "because the crowd is so loud" that she cannot find a location for the interview with studio.
1157 GMT: A Glitch in the Line? The Press TV anchorman rambles on and says, against a split-screen purportedly showing the rallies, that shots are of protests in "two different locations" in Tehran. However, he never names those locations.
Otherwise, this is the narrative: "MKO-Foreign Governments inciting violence, particuarly Foreign Minister David Miliband of the UK-Also President Obama-MKO-Foreign Interference".
1147 GMT: Press TV has now cut into programming to show live shots from Tehran. Initial close-range shots of the crowd give way to a long shot which (sorry to be uncertain) may or may not be of today. The anchorman's description is boiler-plate claim of continuing pro-regime demonstrations, with emphasis on rallies on Tuesday as well, against the "vandalism" of the opposition and "its violation of one of the most sacred events on the Muslim calendar".
An addition to the party line, however, is the focus on "MKO terrorists" declaring their role in the Ashura "riots" (see 1000 GMT).
1145 GMT: The Ritual Warning. Iran's police chief Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam has repeated the party line, including the hint of the death penalty, with the declaration, "There is no more room for tolerance over participants in illegal rallies....Those who participate in illegal rallies will be confronted more harshly and the judiciary will confront them more decisively."
Ahmadi-Moghaddam added, "Some of the protesters on Sunday are considered as mohareb (enemy of God) and will be confronted firmly." Capital punishment can be imposed on "mohareb".
1140 GMT: We're watching for first references to the pro-regime protest called for 3 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) in Tehran. So far Press TV English has not cut into its programming to provide an update.
1040 GMT: Death Penalty for Protest? German media are highlighting a statement by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, that the legal structure will be put in place within 24 hours for capital punishment against leaders of demonstrations.
1025 GMT: "The Velvet Revolution" Moves From CNN to IRNA. The Islamic Republic News Agency is also highlighting an interview with US-based academic Kaveh Afrasiabi on CNN as confirmation of foreign intervention against the regime. Afrasiabi told CNN, "We have seen tremendous evidence of meddling, by the UK Government in particular, during and after the Presidential election, and there is no doubt in my mind...that the British Government is determined to see regime change in Iran.
1020 GMT: The Regime Stays Negative. As we ventured in our analysis this morning, the Iranian Government appears to have put aside any attempt at a "positive" campaign to mobilise support in favour of bashing the opposition. The Islamic Republic News Agency is dominated by stories vowing punishment of protesters: Minister of Intelligence Heydar Moslehi has taken prime position for the moment with his declaration that the Iran's judiciary will "deal decisively" with the "anti-revolutionary" movement.
Moslehi also maintained the line that "foreign elements" were responsible for "assassinations" on Ashura.
1000 GMT: The Regime's Unexpected Helper? Press TV has jumped on an interview by Maryam Rajavi, the head of the National Council of Resistance in Iran, to headline, "The Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) has acknowledged that it played a role in Sunday's violent anti-government protests in Iran."
The NCRI is the political wing of MKO, which has carried out a violent campaign since 1979 to overthrow the Iranian Government. According to Press TV, Rajavi told Agence France Press that her organisation's followers "cooperated with the demonstrators and coordinated the protests". She supposedly said, "[The protests are] a call for solidarity among all those who reject the rule of the Supreme Leader, the velayat e-faqih....What we call the 'Green movement' against the electoral fraud quickly disappeared to be replaced by a deeper movement whose goal is the total overthrow of the regime."
0915 GMT: How Big Were the Pro-Government Protests? An interesting discussion amongst EA readers overnight of footage from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, supposedly showing thousands of people chanting against "rioters" and for the regime. Authenticity is far from certain --- note the debate in comments below over the trees blurred in the video --- and I am still looking for confirmation in the Iranian press.
Meanwhile, pictures of a rally by Iranian members of Parliament on Tuesday show few demonstrators beyond the MPs.
0845 GMT: We've now posted video claiming to be of the attack on Ayatollah Dastgheib's offices (see 0830 GMT) in Shiraz.
0835 GMT: Uncertainty and Rumour. Testifying to our theme today, a prominent Iranian activist, Mehdi Saharkhiz, has posted an account of a supposed meeting between the Supreme Leader and Hashemi Rafsanjani, discussing the situation after Ashura.
0830 GMT: The Regime v. The Clerics. Radio Farda has more on the story, which we noted yesterday, of attacks on the offices of Ayatollah Sane'i and Ayatollah Dastghaib in Mashhad and Shiraz.
0815 GMT: In our special analysis this morning, we began from Iran's settling into "tensions of uncertainty" after the Ashura demonstrations and the regime's fightback with widespread arrests.
The uncertainty is evident this morning in news that the nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Seyed Ali Mousavi, is buried in Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, reportedly after only the Government gave only a few hours' notice that the body should now be laid to rest. No prizes for guessing why, as the regime tries to limit any post-Ashura rallies --- Seyed Ali Mousavi was killed in Sunday's demonstrations.
Or, to be precise, post-Ashura rallies of the opposition. The regime's other gambit today is the call for a mass pro-Government demonstration in Tehran. The uncertainty, even with reports that "thousands" gathered on Monday and Tuesday to condemn the "rioters" of Ashura, is whether this demonstration will be a substantive indication of widespread support, especially for President Ahmadinejad.
And then there are the uncertainties that go beyond today's events. Consider, for example, how a rumour without any clear evidence is now "news". The Twitter chatter on Sunday was that a jet, with an escort of military fighters, was ready at Mehrabad Airport for the Supreme Leader to fly to Russia. Yesterday, that chatter, backed up by a mysterious fax, turned into "news" on Radio Netherlands, and today it is worthy of publication in The Huffington Post.
Agence France Presse, Ayatollah Alamalhoda, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali Mohammad Dastghaib, Ayatollah Yusuf Sane'i, BBC Persian, CNN, Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Heydar Moslehi, Hossein Karroubi, Huffington Post, Iran, Iran Elections 2009, Islamic Republic News Agency, Maryam Rajavi, Mehdi Karroubi, Mehdi Saharkhiz, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, Nader Mokhtari, Nasrullah Torabi, National Council of Resistance of Iran, Press TV, Pyeke Iran, Radio Netherlands, Rah-e-Sabz, Seyed Ali Mousavi, Shirzad Bozorgmehr, Voice of America, Zahra Rahnavard in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (241)
[...] 30. Dezember 2009 — Thomas v. der Osten-Sacken Endurinamerica begleitet die Ereignisse des heutigen Tages und bezweifelt, dass Moussawi und Karroubi in den Norden des Iran geflohen sind. [...]
The VOA Persian Service and the BBC Persian TV channels have been interfered with apparentky by IRI! This is not the first time this has happened! The two channels are very popular inside Iran and IRI has managed to stop these two important channels! BBC and VOA have both switched to Telstar 12 from Hotbird (a European consertium which Iran is a sherholder!) ...that means they can poke their finger in any channel they wish! Surely, I would have thought, both VOA and BBC would have officilaly complained to the Satelite carriers but the same happened during the first round of Election where Ahmadi nejad came to power 5 years ago and neith channels did anything! Therefore, in the absent of any correct version of truth, many Iranians beleive that the US and UK adminsitration are helping the regime in Tehran to quell what they regard as "Anti-revolutionary" elements! Isn't it time that UK and US did something in response in this regard?! Why IRI is allowed so much abuse of Freedom! Shut Press TV in London Now! increase channels of Persian programs via as many satelites as possible! Iranians needup to date and correct news!
Bozorgi,
So now you swear by PressTV you are one funny individual. I guess from your breathtaking analysis the reason why the numbers are so far greater this time is because of the better food being offered. Let's call this political/culinary research. I gather when they serve a feast next time 52 million Iranians will hit the streets in favor of the Revolution.
Why don't you post some of your favorite demonstration recipes???
One would imagine that the greens get served mostly pig products.
Historical picture:
This picture is related to a state supported demonstration in 1978-1979 (Shah Duration) interestingly it is very similar to pictures from today demonstration in Tehran. History iterates itself.
http://freezpic.com/pics/096c6faf826fd889d68c7eda3939d778.jpg
"CNN’s Shirzad Bozorgmehr claims “hundreds of thousands” at today’s gathering. He said that at Vali-e Asr Square, he could not get further because of the dense crowd. From a bridge, he watched an area from Imam Hossein Square to Enghelab Square, a distance of about 18 kilometres (11 miles)."
Hmm - I think that perhaps hanging around this Blog for too long tends to make one paranoid??
But I can't help but wonder why Shirzad Bozorgmehr has been allowed to remain in Tehran (reporting for CNN) when all other western journalists have been sent packing. My question - is this guy believable??
Barry
Amir
Good picture - it seems that the Shah was at least as popular then as the Supreme Leader is today - perhaps the Monarchy should be brought back?? Something just doesn't "add up".
Barry
Ansar-Hezbollah has raid into Azad University of Mashhad and reportedly injured at least 8 students(with knife) and arrest more than 40. Some reports(unconfirmed) indicates that 2 student has been killed
It's been a long time since my last visit and comment on this site. today I came here out of curiosity to see what has been said about the number of people in the rally because I myself were in the rally in Tehran. I was in the rally and I travelled to Tehran only to see it with my own eyes and I'm telling you the number was huge and to my estimate it should had been 2 million. this was the reality of what happened today in tehran and i don't care if some people do not want to accept this reality. to some of you who talked about food being distributed among the people i should say if so how is it that there is no photo or videos of this distributions. such amount of food would had needed big tracks to carry them, a good subject for citizien journalists!!!! be sure if this was the case there were hudreds of photos taken out of it. beside, if you take a closer look at the people who attend the rallies it does not seem they be sooooooooo poor that they stay in the rally for hours only for a piece of cake. so better next time you say they were given gold or silver, what do you think of it ;)
Bozorg, you insulted people who live in rural areas in iran by saying that they are bussed in to tehran to attend the rally and you should appologize for that. living in a rural area does not mean being illiterate or simple-minded (as your words suggest).
to samuel and ali,
you can wake a person who is asleep but you cannot wake a person who pretends to be asleep!!!!
Dear Barry
As I stated before in my comments today, I have it on reliable sources that the crowds are concentrated around that one sq. and are at most 30K, and I believe as many others do that Shirzad has been duped in his reportage. People know him in Tehran and have seen him operate. He tries to walk a tight rope but has been too readily giving into the IRI's views given to him. Do not forget that no really independent reporter is allowed in Tehran. Period.
Barry,
You are right, Bozorgmehr's report is very suspicious. It is strange to me that he feels comfortable estimating crowds at a pro-govt. rallies when journalists are no longer allowed to report in Iran... and if he has such freedom, why is he not using that to cover and verify numbers at the much larger and more frequent anti-regime protests.
My basic line on "Pro-regime" rallies is that 1. since attendance is coerced and/or heavily rewarded financially the numbers don't mean anything, and 2. Until reporters are allowed to freely cover the country again it is impossible to verify anything and most reporting is unfortunately tainted by regime propoganda and lies (and photoshop).
here is a the link about Anar Hezbollah raid in farsi
http://zamaaneh.com/news/2009/12/post_11732.html
m. s.:
You may like it or not, but almost every educated person that I know (in Iran) is against your beloved Khamenei and Regime. So at least intelligent people don't support this government. Regime's supporters are among Fools or Traitorous
Amir:
first of all, having a higher education is no measure for being more human or something! second of all, almost every educated people I know in Iran supports the system, see it's easy to say these words!!! Third of all, your response had nothing to do with what I pointed to in my comment.
This thread discussion has degenerated into "Mine is bigger than yours!!"
What will win the situation is PASSION!! And it is obvious to me on which side the passion and the ANGER resides.
look at this video - http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/simply-staggering-footage.html There is no shortage of passion and anger there!
What is needed most now is for the MASSES to come out - at this time they are not coming out in support of either of the Opposition or the Regime.
Barry
This is the video of today showing that "Sandiz" (Local manufactured grape juice) and cakes being distributed amongst those who attende the pro-goverment demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KagpPb4IEaM
Dear m.s. You didn't get your cake & Juice, but you may get cash or free trip for you and ur family to Qom!!!!
It is obvious that there is a lot of mis and disinformation of about what is actually going on Iran depending on who is reporting. The truth as always seems so elusive. However it is clear that the post-elections frictions have not entirely died down and there are internal and external foes and unfortunately mislead friends who are trying to create a 1953 style coup situation. What is currently happening and the way the Western media and governments are behaving and with a myriad of political opportunists all jockeying for position to take advantage of the possible aftermath of a change of regime. The current government of Iran might not be to everyone's liking but so is the case with numerous other governments but this is not an excuse to destroy public and private property. There is a strong need for national reconciliation although the time for it may have passed. But as they say better late than never!
Shari
even if true,do you how much do this sandiz and cake cost ?? sandiz is usually around 150 tomans and a cake would cost the same, so they both together cost around half a dollar. do you really believe that a million or so people turn out only to get the cake and sandiz???
Barry
i would agree that here every one tries to show himself at the side of the truth and bigger than the other one, but that's what today's media is all about.
@ 20 rezvan
"but this is not an excuse to destroy public and private property"
Sorry??ß
As far as I know, the protestors have been peaceful until recently - though they have been provoked, beaten up and killed by regime thugs!
Dear Samuel,
You are comparing turnouts for two marches. However, you seem to be confusing the conditions under which the Greens and the pro-AN/KhR marches are being conducted. There is a helpful chart here that should help (assuming that you can read Persian):
http://i49.tinypic.com/2sb71wx.jpg
18 Billion Dollars exited Iran and Your president claims "Good Luck to anyone who got it", are you serious?!?! A government that can throw this amount of money via "Truck" out of the tables of it's people can surely afford 50 cents for 20,000 or 2 million as you want!!! ...the people in the video would take anything as long as it's free, if you didn't eat your cake, well you just lost out!
Also, I didn't suggest 2 miilion you suggested it! At most your goverment have managed to bring in 20.000, look at all the photos of the area and the estimated by Goggle Earth!
Samuel,
Mischaracterization and evasive sarcasm, again? Come on, at least TRY to meet the high standards of reason and logic required by Twelver Usuli Shi'ism.
M.S., isn't it a shame that the foreign press was banned from covering today's demonstration? A free press in this case would have definitely helped support your claim.
Paleene
"As far as I know, the protestors have been peaceful until recently"
are you sure of the protestors being peacefull earlier?????????
this is a direct quote from a Washington Post article publishe June 14: "On Mottahari Street, protesters set three buses on fire. " as you may know this news paper has no reason for lying in this case!!
m.s.
Say what, so you found the one black sheep!
Isn't it cheap to point out to those, whereas millions withstood violence under severe conditions?
m.s. have you heard of "Ajan Provocateur" before?!? Savak used to do this so does your secret services to blame others and to provoke! I know your gevernment is capable of such things! Your government would do anything in order to survive!