Iran Feature: The Intimidation of the Regime (Baji)
"Yasaman Baji", an Iranian journalist in Tehran, writes for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting:
The Iranian security forces stepped into action to prevent opposition protesters coming out onto the streets and hijacking the annual anti-Israel demonstration last week.
The last Friday of Ramadan is designated Quds (“Jerusalem”) Day in Iran, and is used by the regime as a ritual show of anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiment.
Last year, however, the opposition Green Movement took advantage of the officially-sanctioned presence of crowds on the street to make their own appearance, to the consternation of the government. They challenged official policy on the Palestinian cause – normally a taboo subject – by shouting, "No to Gaza, no to Lebanon, may my life be sacrificed for Iran."
This year, the intelligence agencies were ready, and took action to forestall any public appearance by the opposition.