The Latest from Iran (3 July): Fussing and Feuding

2155 GMT: Taking on the Brides. What better way to close a Saturday night than to pick up on the latest triumph of Iran's morality authorities? Mehr News reports that a bridal exhibition in Shiraz has been shut down.

2145 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. A reminder that the brothers Arash and Kamiar Alaei, two doctors prominent in the treatment of HIV/AIDS through the triangular clinic system, have entered their third year of detention.

1940 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Azeri activist Hassan Rahimi Bayat was arrested today at work.

HRANA reports that Peyman Karimi-Azad, detained on Ashura, is in a diabetic coma in Evin Prison after being denied treatment.

NEW Iran Special: The Escalating Crisis Within (Verde)
Iran: Establishing the First “Anti-Censorship Shelter”
Iran Analysis: Assessing Europe’s Sanctions & Tehran’s Oil (Noel)
The Latest from Iran (2 July): Ahmadinejad v. Larijani?

1920 GMT: Economic Front. An interesting revelation about Iran's current economic tensions: while those with higher degrees from universities are 15.1% of the country's workforce, they make up 25.5% of the unemployed.

1910 GMT: Khamenei's "Guidelines" for Filmmakers. The Los Angeles Times picks up on another aspect of the Supreme Leader's statement to those involved in Iranian media (see 1540 GMT), his instructions for suitable movies:

Our film directors should offer products in which positive points eclipse negative and dark points of our society. If you magnify negative points, the society will plunge into disenchantment.

As for censorship, well.... "Sometimes, our artists raise unrealistic concerns about the [restrictions] they face in producing critical films. Some...criticisms against films and television series are correct and they have to respect certain moral, religious and cultural red lines. Transgressing these red lines will be extremely harmful."

So, for example, filmmakers had to keep on their moral toes --- "foreign networks are undertaking incessant efforts to invade chastity and hijab in a bid to destroy the foundation of families in Iran" --- and mind their political manners:

In all products, you should take into consideration the ongoing political events, specifically the animosity of bullying powers against the Iranian nation. Those who claim to be friends of Iran have proven their enmity to our history and culture by their anti-Iranian films. Under such circumstances, any politically motivated show has to be performed carefully not to play into the hands of enemies.

1905 GMT: Which Is More Dangerous: Computers or Guns? The answer of Iran's police chief Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam is that "internet terrorism" menaces the Iranian nezam (system).

To which an EA correspondent replies, " And killing people doesn't?"

1655 GMT: Morality Message of Day. Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, often seen as the "spiritual mentor" of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but now a possible critic of the President's recent comments on the "morality police", has said: "If a boy and a girl do something against morals, they should be punished with 100 lashes."

1649 GMT: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Financial Mis-Manager? Peyke Iran publishes a list of "financial irregularities", from the Tehran municipal budget of 2005 (when Ahmadinejad was mayor) to $14 billion not allocated to the national treasury in the 2008 budget.

1645 GMT: The Universities Crisis. Press TV publishes an English version of the Guardian Council's slap-down of Parliament over control (labelled as "funding") of Islamic Azad University: "Aside from religious and constitutional violations, and ambiguities that are evident in the different parts of this legislation, because this bill necessitates entering the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution (SCCR)'s domain of authority, therefore, it is against Sharia law and in violation of articles 57, and 110 of the Constitution."

In other words, Parliament is subordinate to the SCCR, which is largely seen as an enforcement arm of the Government.

1640 GMT: Holland Blackout on IRIB. The planned visit to Dutch networks by an Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting delegation, including its head, Ezatollah Zarghami, has been cancelled after protests by Iranian expatriates and Dutch legislators and media.

1635 GMT: A Clerical Critique. Ayatollah Hashemzadeh-Herissi of Khobregan has asserted that some people are caught up in security and thus act irresponsibly. He added that it is impossible to read some Iranian media because they are "full of lies" and that "values are mistreated in the name of Islam".

1620 GMT: Parliament's Counter-Attack. In the aftermath of the distributing of leaflets by Ahmadinejad supporters denouncing Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, prominent member of Parliament Gholam-Reza Mesbahi-Moghaddam has warned the critics and opponents of Larijani to back off.

Larijani ally Ahmad Tavakoli has pointed to a disruptive current that "tries to blacken all forces within the nezam (Iranian system)".

And Ali Motahari, now prominently leading the fight against the President, has said that Ahmadinejad "cannot stand criticism". He accused the President of "furnishing" the group of protestors that challenged Parliament's attempt to maintain control of Islamic Azad University, and he asserted that government policies "menace the Iranian nezam".

Ahmadinejad supporter Mohammad Khoshchehreh tried to counter by saying that many "hardliners" are not legitimate in their views.

1610 GMT: Rafsanjani Watch (Getting to the Important Part). A striking example of how the difference between viewing Iran "internationally" and watching its internal tensions.

For Agence France Presse, the importance of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani's statement at today's Expediency Council lies in the sanctions issues. AFP highlights this passage:

The world arrogance (US) is trying to intimidate countries of the region, so they go along with bullying policies against Iran, but will not succeed in this act. It is an overt, bullying action against Iran when the US president officially announces that they are targeting the heart of Iran's nuclear programme.

EA's German Bureau gets past this diversion to find the importance of the statement, noting the summary of the Iranian Labor News Agency. Rafsanjani said officials should stop battles between different "gangs", as there is a danger that "radical groups" will weaken the three powers [executive, legislative, and judiciary], official institutions, and officials.

1555 GMT: Rahnavard Intervenes. Zahra Rahnavard has issued a statement urging Iranian authorities to end the oppression of political prisoners:

Today the prisons should be proud to have become the residence of the noble and pure individuals who only seek freedom, democracy, justice, and affluence of humanity and have no concern but the prosperity of the nation; today the prisons are hosts of scientific elite, students, professors, journalists, winner of scientific Olympiads, and defenders of human rights.

1540 GMT: Supreme Leader Meets Iran's State Media, Warns Against Lies. That's probably an overdramatic label --- Ayatollah Khamenei, meeting the Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Ezzatollah Zarghami, and producers, writers and artists, was not referring to any lies by IRIB.

Instead Khamenei said, "Those who provided Saddam Hussein with weapons and chemical materials to commit crimes against the Iranian nation have established so-called cultural networks today to pursue the same objectives. This fact should not be overlooked by anyone."

1520 GMT: The Universities Crisis. Rah-e-Sabz reports that the Guardian Council, favouring the Ahmadinejad Government, has rejected the Parliament bill asserting its control over Islamic Azad University.

1330 GMT: Ahmadinejad v. Sanctions. Absolutely no rhetorical overkill in today's declaration by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:

[The West knows] that there is a sleeping lion in Iran which is waking up and if she wakes up all the relationships in the world will change. Their pathetic acts show they know what a great human power is hidden in Iran.

They thought that by having meetings and talking to each other and signing papers they could stop a great nation's progress. Iran is much greater than what they can perceive it in their small minds. We know that if this Iranian civilization awakes then there would be no more room for arrogant, corrupt and bullying powers.

1320 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Detained labour activist Mansour Osanloo appeared in a Karaj court on Wednesday for unknown reasons.

Hamzeh Karami, manager of the reformist Jomhouriat website and a senior official at Islamic Azad University, has reportedly been hospitalised in Evin Prison with heart and respiratory problems. Karami was arrested shortly after the June 2009 election.

1315 GMT: The Kahrizak Cover-Up. Human rights activist and former member of Parliament Ali Akbar Mosavi Khoeni has asked for a "proper" enquiry by the Government into the handling of the post-election abuses at Kahrizak Prison.

Two prison employees were sentenced to death this week and nine others were given jail terms after a closed-door trial, but activists believe senior officials responsible for Kahrizak have escaped investigation and punishment.

1300 GMT: (Digital) Economy Watch. Iran has ranked 69th out of 70 countries for strength of "digital economy" in a study conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit and IBM's Institute for Business Value.

Iran was 68th in 2009 but avoided a fall to the absolute bottom this year by edging out Azerbaijan.

1110 GMT: Play It Again, Ali. He might be fighting with the President at home, but Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani is maintaining Iran's common tough-talk line on sanctions. He told reporters Friday that threats will not work against Tehran: "If the US wants to act in the same way as before, this approach would prove costly for them."

0840 GMT: Today's All-is-Well Alert. Edward Yeranian of Voice of America offers a useful summary, "Iranian Officials Scoff at Impact of New US Economic Sanctions".

0820 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Peyke Iran publishes what it claims is a psychologist's report from August about Tehran police chief Ahmad Reza Radan. It includes provocative items such as Radan's alleged promise to detainees in the now-infamous Kahrizak Prisoners that "they should forget Auschwitz and Guantanamo".

Parleman News claims journalist Aazam Veysameh is being held incommunicado in solitary confinement, with no visits from family.

0725 GMT: We open this morning with a special analysis from Mr Verde, "The Escalating Crisis Within".

Meanwhile....

World Cup Funnies

EA has posted a comedy piece (we think it's a comedy piece) by a former speechwriter for George W. Bush who claims, "Soccer is a Socialist Sport", but football humour isn't limited to the US.

Earlier this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki did a routine on how the World Cup humiliations of France, England, and the US were due to God's smiting of those who oppressed Iran with sanctions (and qualification for the World Cup). The punchline comes from Parleman News, however: the website notes that God seems to have turned against Tehran by taking down its ally on the nuclear issue, Brazil.

EA is waiting for Mottaki's assessment of what God thinks about Holland, Brazil's conquerors in the quarter-finals.

Conflicting Signals

Unfortunately for the Government, the confusion is not only over God and football. While Tehran's Friday Prayer leader, Ayatollah Emami Kashani, was giving the party line that opposition could not be tolerated, warning lawyers that defence of wrongdoers is forbidden, the Friday Prayer leader in Golestan, Ayatollah Nour-Mofidi, said, "Criticism of government does not mean opposition to nezam [the Iranian system]", and media loyal to that system should be free.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alaeddin Boroujerdi tried to hold everything together by denouncing Iran's enemies --- the US is like the Soviet Union before its decline --- and attacking Mir Hossein Mousavi. Not sure that the attack brought home its intended message, however. Boroujerdi said Iran ad 80% popularity in Muslim countries before elections and this dropped to 27 % afterwards --- but is that shift really due to Mousavi rather than, say, some other politician or regime figure?

Comments

[Catherine]

RE "Mottaki did a routine on how the World Cup humiliations of France, England, and Turkey ..."

Um, I believe that was the US instead of Turkey! :-)

[Catherine]

RE: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki remarks on how the World Cup humiliations of France, England, and the US were due to God’s smiting of those who oppressed Iran with sanctions.

The elimination of Brazil from the World Cup was met with expressions of joy and sarcasm by some members of Iran’s opposition movement. See FRE/RL's collections of repartees by bloggers and football fans:
http://www.rferl.org/content/The_Curse_Of_The_Iranian_People_Afflicted_Brazil/2089747.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.rferl.org/content/The_Curse_Of_The_I...

[Catherine]

OK - who's joking now?

A number of supporters of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad government in Qom issued a statement claiming they no longer regard Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Parliament, as their representative at the parliament and they want their votes back. (!)

ILNA reports that the statement was distributed following the Friday Mass prayers and is signed, “People of Hezbollah.”
More: http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/ahmainejad-supporters-in.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/07/ahmaineja...

[Catherine]

Mousavi advisor: 'hardliners seek a new constitution'

Ardeshir Amir Arjomand is a former law professor at Beheshti University and an adviser to Mousavi. In an interview with Kaleme, he explains how he views the current condition in Iran and reflects on the bitter-sweet memories of the events that succeeded the elections. He also criticises the policies of this regime over the years which have led to the disqualification of honorable and qualified citizens under the pretext of infidelity towards the regime. He also complaines about individuals who have tolerated and in some cases even endorsed fraud and in doing so have demonstrated that contrary to their claims, they are not only not committed to the Constitution and the regime, but in particular they reject the "Republic" part of the regime.

Interview: http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/02/2131" rel="nofollow">http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/0...

[Catherine]

Total CEO calls Iran oil embargo'an 'error'

The CEO of French energy giant Total on Friday criticised sanctions against Iran, saying an embargo on petrol products was an "error" that would harm ordinary people.

Speaking at an economic forum in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, Christophe de Margerie confirmed Total had suspended its deliveries to Iran in line with sanctions adopted by the UN, US and European Union in response to Tehran's refusal to halt its uranium enrichment programme.

"I maintain this is a mistake. The embargo affects the population, too many things are politicised these days," he told media. "We do not think an embargo on the delivery of petrol products is a good way to settle differences of a political nature," he said.

De Margerie said Total would resume deliveries at the first opportunity, saying it was a "serious mistake to mix things that are civil and political".
http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/03/2135" rel="nofollow">http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jul/0...

[Catherine]

Amnesty urges full disclosure in Iran jail murders

Amnesty International has called for "full disclosure" from the Iranian authorities in the case of two men ordered to hang for the murders of at least three jailed anti-government protesters.

In a statement released late on Friday, it called for "the full facts of the investigation into the torture and other serious abuses that were committed at Kahrizak and the details of the charges and evidence" against those convicted.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100703/wl_mideast_afp/iranpoliticsoppositiontrialamnesty" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100703/wl_mideast...

[Catherine]

At Least Provide Me With An Account Number So I Can Transfer the Funds Required to Treat My Son

Majid Tavakoli was transferred to Evin prison’s infirmary a few days ago because of his rapidly deteriorating physical condition. The prison doctors have informed him however, that there is little they can do for him and that he needs to visit a specialist.

Ali Tavakoli, Majid’s brother contacted Daneshjoo News and described the latest developments:
http://www.rhairan.in/en/?p=5070" rel="nofollow">http://www.rhairan.in/en/?p=5070

[Miz Pah]

Someone ought to tell Ahmadinejad that the lion has awoken, and he is spot on, soon "there would be no more room for arrogant, corrupt and bullying powers."

[Catherine]

"We know that if this Iranian civilization awakes then there would be no more room for arrogant, corrupt and bullying powers."

Then the president and his men would have to run! That's why they're doing all they can to keep the lion bound, gagged, beaten and behind bars.

[WitteKr]

Re Cup Funnies: "Iranians partied for the defeat of Brazil in the World Cup because this country voted against sanctions against the Islamic Republic in the United Nations." Via Secular Democracy for Iran - http://www.cyrusnews.com/news/fa/?mi=9&ni=11739" rel="nofollow">http://www.cyrusnews.com/news/fa/?mi=9&ni=11739

[WitteKr]

What brought this up? AFP: "Iranian ex-president turned opposition backer Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Saturday the United States will fail with its policy of "bullying" the Islamic republic with sanctions.
"The world arrogance (US) is trying to intimidate countries of the region, so they go along with bullying policies against Iran, but will not succeed in this act," Rafsanjani said at a session of the Expediency Council, Iran's top political arbitration body which he heads.
Rafsanjani criticised US President Barack Obama's decision to impose new US sanctions against Iran.
"It is an overt, bullying action against Iran when the US president officially announces that they are targeting the heart of Iran's nuclear programme," the powerful cleric said, citing Obama."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100703/wl_mideast_afp/irannuclearpoliticsusrafsanjani_20100703132013" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100703/wl_mideast...

[WitteKr]

The poison of culture... "Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned against the "disgraceful lies" of the enemies of the Iranian nation about democracy and human rights. "Those who provided Saddam Hussein with weapons and chemical materials to commit crimes against the Iranian nation have established so-called cultural networks today to pursue the same objectives. This fact should not be overlooked by anyone," said Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday.
The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with the Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Ezzatollah Zarghami, and a number of IRIB producers, writers and artists."
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=133220§ionid=351020101" rel="nofollow">http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=133220&sec...

[Arshama]

Germany - Argentina 4:0 !!!!
Unbelievable...

@ 1540 GMT: Supreme Leader Meets Iran’s State Media, Warns Against Lies

Wonderful photos from satellite dishes in Iran: Who cares for IRIB :-)
http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=18735" rel="nofollow">http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=18735

[Catherine]

Arshama,
RE Germany - Argentina 4:0 !!!!

Almost as unbelievable as Holland winning over Brazil! It's that sneaky octopus you have always picking the food container in its tank that has the German flag on it - that's your secret! :-)

On a less positive but Iran-related football note: 'Germans baffled by sudden withdrawal of Iranian women's soccer team from DISCOVER FOOTBALL'

DISCOVER FOOTBALL (http://www.discoverfootball.de/%29is" rel="nofollow">http://www.discoverfootball.de/)is an initiative by Fußball und Begegnung e.V. Out of the 42 applicants, seven Women’s football teams from around the world were selected to participate in this cultural and sports festival to be held in Berlin from July 6 to 13. The teams are those who have played women’s football against all social, economic, or religious odds, teams that are engaged with the community and want to experience the integrative power of football. An Iranian team was one of the seven finalists but the German organizers announced yesterday that the team was informed last minute (by Iranian government) that they are not allowed to participate. This last minute unexpected cancellation has caused problems with the football schedule and festival plans.

Arshama - are you baffled?

[Arshama]

Catherine,

For all "foreign" readers, here comes a picture of octopus Paul, Germany's famous football oracle ;-) http://www.fnp.de/fnp/sport/fussball/tintenfischwmorakel-deutschland-besiegt-argentinien_rmn01.c.7887911.de.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.fnp.de/fnp/sport/fussball/tintenfisc...

I'm sorry for the Iranian women team, but I'm much more critical of this Berlin initiative, organised by the Assmann children (Professor Jan Assmann is a famous German Egyptologist), trying to establish "Hijab football" as typical for Islam!
Hijab in its actual form is nowhere prescripted by the Coran (it only reads that women should be 'covered'), but a trademark of fundamentalistic Islamists. Fortunately the Green movement helped to reduce to absurdity all these efforts of well-meaning German do-gooders (Gutmenschen), insisting on "cultural differences".

Human rights, especially women's rights, are individable!

Arshama

[Kurt]

My condolences to you Catherine, on Argentina. Spain, if they aren't upset by Paraguay, might yet give my Nationalmannschaft a run.

Arshama, in my ever so humble reading of the famous 24:30-1, I believe it can be interpreted widely, considering modesty. If one reads the two ayah, it seems pretty common sense, like, don't walk around in public in a diaphanous blouse on (or less), for example. It also commands modesty for men. Is what is good for the gander not good enough for the goose? I doubt many a mojtahid would agree with my liberal layman's reading of many a verse, though!

[Gunniy]

Hi arshama
I don`t know assman - but the turkisch BSV AL-Dersimspor - doing sports with a bit political background. They have nothing to do with "Gutmenschen" - they not bad too - :) but turkish.
http://www.bsv-aldersim.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=106" rel="nofollow">http://www.bsv-aldersim.eu/index.php?option=com...
Regards gunni

[Arshama]

Hi Gunni,

Perhaps I should go more into the details: I didn't mean that the Assmann children intended to promote "Hijab football", surely their initiative aimed at breaking up cultural frontiers. But unfortunately I learnt to know their Iranian director of photography, who abused of these connections to come to Germany and stage the most mysogynic Persian play I have seen for years, by the way in Berlin. He is one of those mullah chicken, spreading around the world to promote their backwarded ideology under the "cover" of culture!
The regime's fifth column, always prepared to fill in the cultural gap with Western countries, created on purpose. With this regard the Assmanns were highly naive to believe they did something good for Iran's women football...

Regards

Arshama

[Arshama]

Kurt,

Fundamentalist regimes like the IR always try to impose their ideology as the sole possible interpretation of the world. By offering a monolithic weltanschauung they try to "cover" their fundamental ignorance of existing political, social and cultural complexities. Instead of convincing the people with arguments, they resort to violence, instead of being positive on their issues, they live from blackmailing their "ennemies".
Enforcing "hijab" is one of these simplistic means to control a complex society, whose fundamental needs are completely ignored. As Mr Verde has already remarked in his analysis, the regime's principles are slowly revealing the intellectual vacuum hidden behind.

Arshama

[Gunniy]

Hi Arshama
just come home from a concert given by the rock legend -I enjoyed it -maybe it was one of the last possibilities to see this guy live.

In my reply about the documentary work "football under cover" I wanted to say that this movie is impressive because they told the simple
story how some women of a footbool team had organized their journey
to Tehran.
But what you see is not only a simple story - you get the feeling that it is easier going by bicycle to the North Pol than meeting a women soccer team in Theran.
And what you see is the everyday rejection of women - the "whole body Hijab" is just only one indicator of a strong surpression of women which is clearly shown in this movie.The women doesn`t demand anything in this movie - but they had just shown the daily reality - thats why the movie prove itself worth to see.

Regards gunniy

[Catherine]

Arshama + Gunny,
Do you think the armband this Iranian female soccer player is wearing might have had anything to do with the sudden decision to withdraw the Iran team from DISCOVER FOOTBALL? ;-)
http://features.kodoom.com/en/iran-sports/germans-baffled-by-sudden-withdrawal-of-iranian-women-s-soccer-team-from/v/2035/" rel="nofollow">http://features.kodoom.com/en/iran-sports/germa...

[Catherine]

RE 1645 GMT: the Guardian Council’s slap-down of Parliament over control of Azad University: In other words, Parliament is subordinate to the SCCR, which is largely seen as an enforcement arm of the Government

From Muhammad Sahimi's article ' Who's in Charge?':
Ever since Ahmadinejad came to power, one of his primary goals -- which he shares with the Guards -- has been to take control of the IAU. After years of attacks and counterattacks, Ahmadinejad recently succeeded in having the Supreme Council for Cultural Revolution (SCCR), which as president he officially heads, issue an order demanding that the school sack its president, Dr. Abdollah Jasbi, an ally of Rafsanjani's. The SCCR, established in 1980, is essentially an illegal council, whose basis for existence can be found nowhere in the Constitution. Nonetheless, it has been used over the years by conservative clerics to control many of the country's cultural activities. Now, Ahmadinejad and the Guards want to use it to take control of the IAU -- the order to sack Jasbi also demands that his replacement be acceptable to the SCCR.

............ At the same time, because the IAU is a completely private university that has never received any government funding, it is not officially governed by SCCR resolutions or orders, or even by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, which has jurisdiction over publicly supported institutions of higher education.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2010/06/fissures-in-the-regime.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranb...

[Catherine]

RE 1640 GMT: The planned visit to Dutch networks by an Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting delegation has been cancelled after protests by Iranian expatriates and Dutch legislators and media.

This very active Iranian student association, Iranian Progressive Youth, played an important role in getting this done: http://iranpy.net/" rel="nofollow">http://iranpy.net/

[ScottLucas11]

Smile,

Thanks for the comparative statistics, although US figure is incomplete (depends on total numbers of unemployed with and w/o degrees, not just the percentages you give....

In Iran case, I believe the figure given was that 15.1% of those employed have higher degrees....

S.

[Gunniy]

Catherine
maybe the green wristbands is one reason for the denial at the surface but my gut feeling tells me, that the hindrance of the iranian women soccer game is part of the policies of the Iranian ambassy in Berlin. The Iranian women could very easily collect all the hearts and sympathy
from the people who are living here – but this sympathy for the Iranian women is against the policies of the hardliners.
But I see it from the other side: Even a normal international soccer play is against the interests of the hardliners – and that is absolutely no sign of superiority of the regime. If anything than this denial it is one indicator of weakness: One desperate effort more to uphold the cruel ideology behind the hardliner.