UPDATED Iran: Full Text --- Karroubi Takes on the Supreme Leader (20 June)

Translation by Khordaad 88:

To the great and honorable nation of Iran,

A year has passed since your spectacular presence during the 10th presidential elections that took place last year. This enthusiastic participation in the elections was a sign of your desire to exercise your right to self-determination in the affairs of your country. Some however, based on a theory that considers people as [mere] supporters of the government and Guardianship of the Jurist rather than appointers, presented their decisions and their votes as though they were yours.

A year has passed since these elections and during this year we witnessed many ups and downs. We witnessed how the powers that trampled upon all modesty, brought upon a negative image for the Islamic Republic. We witnessed the martyrdom of our citizens who had come to the streets only to demand what had happened to their votes. We witnessed bloodshed, killing and the filling of prisons with the children of our regime and revolution.

What were unfortunately lacking during this year were the people’s rights under the Constitution. Instead these fundamental rights were replaced by extreme repression through brutal force with no regard for the sanctity of life. Despite all this darkness and bitterness, we still remain hopeful that the train that has been derailed from the foundations of our Constitution, our revolution and our Imam will return to its original path and that the wrongdoers repent and, in doing so, pave the way for dialogue and interaction.

The Great and noble people of Iran,

A year after the 10th presidential election, having gone through many bitter moments, I foremost want to commend the great families of our martyrs in the past year who, in complete injustice, were not even allowed to hold an honorable funeral for their loved ones.

While offering my condolences, I ask God to bless our martyrs and give the survivors patience and forgiveness. I give my respects to the injured that did not get the chance to recover in peace. I bow down to your strength and endurance. Finally, I remember those who were jailed unjustly in an effort to silence this oppressed but great nation’s righteous voice.

Today the prison cells are filled with compatriots of the revolution and Imam Khomeini , thinkers, intellectuals, youth, and freedom-lovers. We are still hopeful that judiciary officials instead of issuing political indictments and pronouncing sentences dictated to them [by security apparatus] will very soon prepare the context for releasing and freeing all political prisoners and therefore redeem the status of the judicial branch.

The Righteous and noble people of Iran,

Despite numerous differences in how to govern the country and self-fulfilling interpretations of the Constitution by some officials, a relative solidarity and unity existed between people with different opinions , different political factions , majority of the people, and state officials. Before the election, though people’s rights and freedoms were ignored, ethnic and religious minorities were disrespected, women and youth were insulted and confronted sometimes violently, the nation was demoralized, and academic and religious scholarly institutions were under tremendous pressure to submit to the powerful, it still did not compare to what happened in the election and events after it.

They [certain officials] fully utilized the public funds, public media, the military, and the reserves to deny people their say and clumsily rig the election results. They insulted and humiliated the people and their movement after the election, and worst of all ignored the protestors. Such large-scale corruption had never taken place in the past 30 years.

Thus, even if there was a relative national unity in the country a year ago, after some officials plundered people’s votes, such unity seems impossible. The election candidates as well as their supporters along with many sects and groups in the society protested this big and obvious wrongdoing. We remember the message that brought them together: “Where is my vote?”

But unfortunately the administration has decided to react to the demonstrations by employing violence, heightening security, jailing and torturing protestors, and convicting them in show trials instead of listening to their message and acting fairly within the legal framework. These actions have taken a great toll on the nation. They have falsely accused some of the most experienced leading figures in the religious and political scene of infidelity, treason, and armed confrontation. They are selling out all the worldly and spiritual capital of the country.

My beloved nation of Iran,

As you all know, and I as I have mentioned before, events of last year have exposed those who think of themselves as connected to the powerful. Their foot soldiers are their media outlets and websites who steal from the oil income and other public funds. They are burning down the Islamic Republic in flames so large that have reached all the dedicated servants of the people and revolutionaries. Their flames have even reached Imam Khomeini’s house and that of his grandchild –-- Seyed Hassan, who is a great scholar and intellectual –--- and other senior clergymen.

We all saw the group of thugs who dishonored Imam Khomeini’s house and Mausoleum . We also saw the wide condemnation of these foolish acts from the people and clergymen. In reaction to this condemnation, a newspaper, surrounded by many evils and which knows no law or boundaries in using foul language, backed the thugs who insulted Imam’s grandson for the crime of being on the people’s side.

This was not enough for the malevolent newspaper. Without regard for anything, they ripped through the veil of respect for the Sources of Emulation. In a wave of insults never seen before, they threatened those who had condemned the attacks on descendents of Imam [Khomeini]. This newspaper scolded the Sources of Emulation for their concerns. The newspaper asked them: “What can [possibly] stand against the defence of Islam and the Revolution?”

It is very unfortunate that people [who] have no understanding of the Islamic and Revolutionary teachings of Imam [Khomeini] still want to impose their power-hungry understanding on others with threats, force, and prison. [These "others"] include the greatest and most respected Sources of Emulation within Shi’ite Islam. [Such actions are committed] while the history of Emulation is long and its position is very well-regarded. Sources of Emulation are the guardians of Prophet Mohammad’s Islam during the time before the return of his descendant. But [the hardliners] even see these [revered figures] as subjects to their power. This is why they send their ground-troops to the offices of Sources of Emulation in Qom to invite them to the "right" path. And when the Sources of Emulation deny this, they pay a group to attack the offices of Grand Ayatollah Saane’i and Grand Ayatollah Montazeri and demand that they exit Qom.

Thinking about these incidents and [seeing] images from these wild attacks leads us to [ask] the following questions: Has respect and dignity for religion and Sources of Emulation ever been ripped apart this badly in the history of the Shi’ites? How is it that some people have shifted from [being members] of a group that used the name of the daughter of the great Prophet as code for its operations –-- people who defended the land against those who waged war –-- to those who attack the offices of eminent Sources of Emulation at 5.30 in the morning and loot their property, belongings, and religious books?

Who is ready to answer for this great deviation? We still remember the days before the victory of the Revolution when the bold opinion of one person against one Source of Emulation, [published] in a prominent newspaper, was met with a storm of response. But today a newspaper which is seen as the representative of the Supreme Leader insults these religious figures so easily. Maybe today’s awful constraints, as well as the immeasurable protection and financial support that these slanderers receive, stops people from holding them accountable and responding to them. But they should know that people will never forget these insults. Let them even ignore the people. If they are not responding, will God stand still and do nothing in the face of such terrible oppression of great men of religion and Islam?

If we move past the slander and insult in that evil editorial, there is a detail that is actually accurate and worth thinking about. [I am talking about] a quote from Ali, the first Imam of the Shi’ites. He said that individuals should be judged based on the criteria of justice; not that justice should be measured by what some individuals proclaim. Indeed, what is the definition of right and wrong (and justice) from the perspective of these "honorable" men? How can you respond to people’s demands for their votes with bullets and then talk about justice? What formed the basis of people’s demands was their right to vote. After the atrocities at Kahrizak detainment center and other legal and illegal prisons, people began to add more demands to their list. How can you open fire on people and then ask them to stop asking for those responsible?

Who from the beginning interpreted pronouncing justified demands and asking questions about [our] votes against the Guardianship of the Jurist [Velayat-e-Faqih]? Why, by means of the Guardianship of the Jurist has a hatchet been taken to the very roots of the Constitution and the Islamic Republic that was founded on the people’s vote? Why has the authority of Guardianship of the Jurist been so greatly extended that I doubt that much authority and power were [even] given to the Prophets or the infallible [Shi’a] Imams? I even doubt that God considers himself to have the right to deal with his servants in the same way [that the Supreme Leader does].

Historically, Shi’a Islam considers criticism of the ruler not only necessary but a requirement based on the Sharia law stipulation that describes “advising the leader of Muslims” [1] . Imam Sadegh [2] says “my dearest brother is the one who tells me my faults”. But as you can see, these gentlemen understand voicing opinions and views to be in opposition to Guardianship of the Jurist .The Supreme Leader expressed his opinion regarding the election [and post-election events]. But the people, while maintaining respect for him , had a different view and demanded that their votes [be counted]. Is it possible to take away the people’s right to question [events] and to distort their perception and understanding by jailing them in places like Kahrizak or killing them? They attack Marjaas and damage their homes, justifying [their actions] based on the views of the Supreme Leader. Or, by recruiting thugs, [they] insult the compatriots of Imam Khomeini and crush the articles of the Constitution under their authoritarian boots. Imam Khomeini’s compatriots and [our] wise people have not forgotten his tradition, manners and conduct. On many occasions where Imam Khomeini voiced his opinion on an issue, officials acted differently and according to their own judgments and understanding. Yet the Imam was never upset over this. [Moreover], no one would object to those officials or infringe on their rights. If the greatest marjas and the Supreme Leader do not detect the crescent of the new moon that marks the end of Ramadaan; if, instead an illiterate shepherd or simple laborer observes the new moon on the high hill of his territory and therefore breaks his fast – can someone call him an infidel, an armed dissident, a stooge of the US and of Zionism and [accuse him of acting] against the Guardianship of the Jurist as well as the state? If we assume the officials did not realize that the people’s votes were stolen, but people have observed it with their own eyes, can someone call them an infidel or an armed dissident, or [accuse them of being] against the Guardianship of the Jurist ? How is asking questions regarding one’s votes related to opposing Islam, religion and the Guardianship of the Jurist ? How is it that some people consider a demand for rights to be a crime and against the Guardianship of the Jurist when, in Islam, a dissident can debate with an infallible Imam even regarding the existence of God?

Freedom-loving and noble people of Iran

We all remember that the socio-political views of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran were different from those of the great Marja of the time, Ayatollah Boroudjerdi . But no one recalls them having said anything against each other or having encouraged and incited their supporters to confront each other, causing unrest in religious society.

We all recall the Imam’s response to the different views of Marjaas[Sources of Emulation] within the seminary. In particular, [we recall] the manner with which he responded to the late Ayatollah Golpayegani’s social and even political views, as well as his views on jurisprudence The announcement for Eid-e-Fetr for all Muslims was even made in his name in all of the media outlets. I recall, specifically, a tape that a number of people had recorded of one of Ayatollah Golpaygani’s sermons. It was about fifteen minutes long and related to the Guardianship of the Jurist [Velayat-e Faqih ] His views were in complete contradiction to the Imam’s, yet when they brought this tape to the Imam, he ordered for Ayatollah Golpaygani’s remarks to be broadcast on national radio twice with all the details. We all recall that during the first presidential term of the current Supreme Leader [4], he had in mind a candidate for Prime Minister who was not recommended by the Imam or by Parliament. How beautiful [it was] that [Khamenei] was able to firmly stand behind his decision even though the Imam, with the power of the Guardianship of the Jurist , did not agree with him. The response to opposing the Supreme Leader as well as the Velayat-e Faqih was different at the time. . I even remember the infamous events that followed the election of Mr. Mousavi to the post of Prime Minister for a second time in 1364. 99 Parliamentary representatives did not vote for Mr. Mousavi and the current Supreme Leader, who was president at the time, famously stated that “99 people have cast a vote of non confidence and that will be 100 votes if you include mine.” He also stated the following during the inauguration and in the presence of spectators and reporters: “As I administer this presidential oath, I pledge that its execution is not completely within my authority.” With that announcement, [Khamenei] continued to assert his opposition to the choice of the Imam. However, neither he nor any of the members of Parliament who voted against the Imam’s selection were insulted, arrested, or described as against the regime or the Guardianship of the Jurist We can all recall the speech of one of the representatives of the second Parliament and the comments he made to those who disapproved of the fact that his words were against the views of the Imam: “If [speaking against the Imam] is unacceptable, then maybe he should send 270 ‘muzzles’ to Parliament.” Even after making such an inflammatory statement, that individual was never frowned upon by the Imam or his offices. He was never harassed, tortured or arrested for that speech. In fact, he was even appointed to a senior legal position within the Guardian Council and served as deputy to the Judiciary. He was also on the radar of many high-level officials within the regime. I remember that when he visited the Imam – even though it was not customary at that time – they even broadcast the news that a member of Parliament had visited the Imam on national radio.

Now compare that Guardianship of the Jurist which one might imagine, based on the scholarly and practical teachings of the founder of the Islamic Republic, with the image that is presented today of the Guardianship of the Jurist and the defense of which casts a shadow over what goes on. God knows what damage the betrayal by a number of people of the Guardianship of the Jurist and the people’s religion has done to the people and their spiritual beliefs.

Proud and Noble Nation of Iran:

One year after the tenth presidential elections and after what they did with your votes, and one year after blood was spilled so that you may gain your rights, I declare again, clearly and sincerely, that in accordance with my pact with you I have stood firm until the very end, and that I am ready to sit down with anyone who should present themselves from the side of the authorities and debate with them. I will express my views on the Constitution, the Line of the Imam, and the Revolution, so that the people—the same people of whom the Imam said that his life is a sacrifice for each and every one of them—may sit in judgment and establish which are the people who have deviated from the Constitution, the path and thought and ideals of the Revolution, and which are the people who despite all the pressures and difficulties they have faced have held fast to the principles [of the Revolution and Constitution]. It is only in this kind of free debate in front of the nation that the lost trust of the people can be recovered. And had it been it possible to convince the people with this mass of propaganda and with a quagmire of lies and accusations, there would have been no need for crackdowns, and they would have given protesters permission to hold a silent march, without fear and without recourse to armed force. Yet the opponents of the people’s vote were not prepared to allot to the protesters even an insignificant share of the possibilities of expression through the media and propaganda channels which they [the authorities] control, so that they [the protesters] might explain and given an account of or declare their positions, or express their viewpoint and defend themselves from the unjust accusations brought against them. Rather the gentlemen saw logic in bullets and fired them on the people. Astonishingly, the gentlemen, instead of running the country and listening to the voice of the people, in this “heavenly Islamic city”[4] shouted slogans about running the world and planning for its inhabitants. They fear both the people and their own shadows, and instead of development for the country, their programme is composed of crackdowns and the spread of prisons and Kahrizaks [detention/torture centres], while in their heads they also entertain the idea of running the world.

Noble and Righteous Nation of Iran:

The vote they stole from you and the rights that they took from you unjustly are a shameful stain that cannot be hidden with whatever colour it is painted over. This is so much the case that after one year, despite all the pressures and intimidation, not only have your rightful demands not been forgotten, but this desire for change has taken deep root in different layers of society, based on an extensive social network. This widespread desire is not something that can be destroyed by means of crackdowns, intimidation, arrests and arbitrary courts. God has requested of believers that they be patient and enduring, and has promised them victory. Although your road is hard and winding, nonetheless the future promised by God belongs to you and the oppressors are destined to nothingness. “Is not the morning nigh?” [5]

[1] A well known quote from Prohpet Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him , regarded by him as one of the most important responsibilities of Muslims.

[2] The six Shia Imam

[3] Ayatollah Khamenie

[4] An ironic allusion to the claims made by some high-ranking dignitaries that the aim of the Islamic Republic is to build a heavenly regime, literally omm olqora-ye eslam, ‘Mother of the Villages of Islam’, in Iran.

[5] Quran 11:81.

The Latest from Iran (18 June): Hardliners Criticise Ahmadinejad

1510 GMT: Twitter and Civil Rights. We have posted a response to the latest attempt to set straight the relationship between social media and the post-election political situation in Iran.

1430 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Journalist Ebrahim Rashidi, who disappeared on Monday, has reportedly called his family from Ardebil's intelligence detention centre.

NEW Iran Request: Nonsense about “Twitter Revolution”. Please Stop.
NEW Iran Analysis: How Europe Can Help (Mamedov)
NEW Iran Document: The Tajzadeh Criticism and The Reformist Way Forward (Sahimi)
Iran Snapshot: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Master of Irony
Iran Overview: Striking Poses from Sanctions to Cyber-War to “Terrorism”
Latest from Iran (17 June): Clearing Away the Smoke

Journalist Hassan Etemadi has been given a two-year sentence, and journalist Shahin Zeynali has been handed a term of two years and 91 days.

The former mayor of Ghasr-e Shirin, Ghodrat Mohammadi, has been detained and transferred to a centre in Kermanshah. No reason for his arrest has been given.

1330 GMT: Through the Looking Glass on the Hijab. Reviewing today's Tehran Friday Prayer by Ayatollah Jannati, the head of the Guardian Council, I think we are now caught up in a contortion of politics. Iran has suddenly become a place where defenders of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad praise him for "a relatively liberal government approach" and turn their fire upon the "hardliners", rather than the opposition.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tZ2a0_3sNw&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

For the headline from Jannati's speech today, in contrast to his previous appearances, is not the threat of heavy punishment upon the opposition but his criticism of Ahmadinejad for raising the "cumbersome" issue of the "morality police" and their efforts to enforce "good behaviour" such as the wearing of the hijab.

Linking those who acted or dressed inappropriately to "drug traffickers" and "terrorists", Jannati said that women who defied the rules on proper clothing were "worse than poison". No one (he means you, Mahmoud) had "the right to tie the hands" of those enforcing the law.

1005 GMT: Ahmadinejad's Hijab Problem. It seems the President has got himself in a political tangle over his complaint about "morality police" cracking down on supposed social transgressions, including "bad hijab".

The Governor of Tehran, Morteza Tamaddon, has insisted that Ahmadinejad's directives are the basis for his officials' actions.

High-profile member of Parlaiment Ali Motahari has declared that the President has been adversely influenced by his chief aide, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashai.

Ayatollah Alamalhoda, Mashhad's Friday Prayer leader, has asserted, "Unfortunately Ahmadinejad does not give the right attention to implementing religious rules."

Member of Parliament Mohammad Taghi Rahbar says he is ready to discuss the issue with Ahamadinejad on television.

0950 GMT: Today's Khabar Kick on the Government's Shins. Khabar Online, linked to Ali Larijani, has suggested that Vice President Mohammad Reza Mirtajoddini might have to resign because he wants to complete a Ph.D. dissertation.

The website, as reported by Peyke Iran, also points to 11 "suspicious" comments by the President in the last 76 days.

0945 GMT: Take Your Resolution and Stick It. Iran's National Security Council has issued a strongly-worded denunciation of the UN Security Council sanctions resolution on Tehran's nuclear programme:

Contrary to all expectations, the resolution has focused on Iran's nuclear program, without so much as a word about the Israeli regime's criminal activities and its attack on the Freedom Flotilla convoy carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip only 10 days ago.

Also, the resolution brazenly ignores the 11 proposals put forward by Iran during Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, which have been welcomed by world countries.

The council takes issue with the adoption of the resolution, particularly since it came despite constructive cooperation and the release of a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency confirming the non-diversion of Iran's nuclear material for the 22nd consecutive time....

"This clearly shows that Washington's commitment to Israeli security will never allow UN Security Council to fulfill its obligations with regards to securing the safety and the rights of different nations....

The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond fittingly to any attempt to violate the legal and legitimate rights of the Iranian nation," the statement added.

0845 GMT: We have posted an analysis by Eldar Mamedov, "Iran: How Europe Can Help".

0840 GMT: Economy Watch. Ayatollah Mousavi Ardebili has complained that people are still not informed about the Government's subsidy reduction plan.

0805 GMT: A Boast (and an Admission?). Tehran police chief Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam, trying to wash away criticism of last year's attack on Tehran University's dormitories, has said, "We were prepared for the elections one week in advance." The dorm incidents were predictable because Communists and neo-Marxists following Mehdi Karroubi had come onto the streets.

Not sure if Ahmadi-Moghaddam realises this, but his statement gives indirect support to allegations of a manipulated election --- the security forces were preparing for violence because they knew in advance that there might be anger over an "adjusted" vote. (More on this on Saturday....)

Meanwhile, member of Parliament Elyas Naderan has kept up his pressure on the Government, saying that the Majlis never completed a full report --- despite its promises --- on the dormitory attacks: "Only parts of it exist and are in our minds."

0800 GMT: The Attack on the Clerics. Some more pressure on the regime: Ayatollah Abdolnabi Namazi, the Friday Prayer leader of Kashan, has said, "If attacks on marja in Qom become normal, the future is not predictable."  Hojatolelsam Mehdi Tabatabai asserts, "God will not forgive those who insulted the 14 Khordad [4 June] ceremony."

0645 GMT: The Attack on the Clerics --- An Apology? Hmm, wondering if this might be an important signal....

In a wide-ranging interview on Parleman News, Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani makes the statement that "whoever does not respect the marja (senior clerics)... shows his worthlessness". Larijani asserts that the marja "are the pillars of nezam", the Iranian system, and "the Supreme Leader up to the chiefs of Iran's forces see them as such".

An EA correspondent gets to the point with the question, "Is this an indirect apology from Ayatollah Khamenei?"

0640 GMT: The Economic Squeeze. Reuters publishes a summary of foreign companies who have pulled back from operations inside Iran and those who continue to do business.

0550 GMT: A Victory in Britain. It is reported that actress and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights activist Kiana Firouz has been granted "leave to remain"' in the UK, removing the threat of deportation to Iran.

Firouz had been refused asylum on two previous occasions, prompting a campaign to prevent her return to Tehran.

0535 GMT: The Attack on the Clerics. It is reported that the website of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri has been filtered.

Kalemeh publishes a letter from Ahmad Montazeri, the son of the Grand Ayatollah, to senior clerics in Qom. Montazeri describes Sunday's attack on the Grand Ayatollah's home and offices and asks for a denunciation of the assault.

0515 GMT: Today's white noise starts out of Washington rather than Tehran, as the Obama Administration --- trying to hold back the tide of Congressional action on Iran --- plays up rhetorically to the legislators.

Speaking at a hearing on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates gave the rationale for the adjusted approach of the White House to US missile defence:

One of the elements of the intelligence that contributed to the decision on the phased adaptive array (approach) was the realization that if Iran were actually to launch a missile attack on Europe, it wouldn't be just one or two missiles, or a handful.

"It would more likely be a salvo kind of attack, where you would be dealing potentially with scores or even hundreds of missiles.

An editorial aside:I wonder if and when the Administration will ever realise that this appeasement --- not of Iran but of Congress --- will never free up its approach towards Tehran but will limit and even undermine any hope of crafting a thoughtful policy towards the Iranian situation.

Meanwhile, getting back to significant developments, we catch up with this week's potentially important analysis by reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh. A Deputy Interior Minister in the Khatami Government and post-election detainee, Tajzadeh has published a lengthy consideration of today's Iran through a review of the past, apologising for the reformists' role in the detention and execution of political prisoners in the 1980s.

We've posted extracts from the Tajzadeh analysis, accompanied by interpretation for Muhammad Sahimi of Tehran Bureau.

Latest from Iran (17 June): Clearing Away the Smoke

1850 GMT: The Sanctions List. The US Treasury has published the names of four individuals (head of Revolutionary Guard Mohammad Ali Jafari, Minister of Defense Ahmad Vahidi, Basij commander Mohammad Reza Naqdi, and Javad Karimi Sabet of Iran's nuclear programme) and 27 companies whose financial transactions are blocked.

1845 GMT: Remembering the Slain. Payvand has published a summary and photos of Tuesday's memorial for Kianoush Asa, a student at Elm-o-Sanat University who was killed during the 15 June 2009 demonstrations.

1840 GMT: The Attack on the Clerics. The reformist Assembly of Combatant Clergy has condemned Sunday's assault on the offices of Grand Ayatollah Sane'i.

NEW Iran Snapshot: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Master of Irony
NEW Iran Overview: Striking Poses from Sanctions to Cyber-War to “Terrorism”
Iran Document: Mousavi’s “Green Charter” (15 June)
Iran Analysis: The Supreme Leader and the Attacks on the Clerics (Verde)
The Latest from Iran (16 June): Simmering

1620 GMT: Not Forgetting. The German TV station 3sat reports on Iranian post-election refugees in Turkey, at least 100 of whom it is claimed have been tortured.

1615 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Rah-e-Sabz reports that journalist Masood Lavasani has had a heart attack in Evin Prison and is in critical condition. The website also says the condition of Hengameh Shahidi has deteriorated.

1610 GMT: Responding to the Attacks. Saideh Montazeri, the daughter of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, has written of "the world upside down".

The reformist Islamic Iran Participation Front has said the attack on the offices of clerics is a sign of weakness of "putschists" towards the Green Movement.

1600 GMT: This Isn't Over. Member of Parliament Elyas Naderan, a vocal critic of the Government, has said that he may publish documents relating to the Majlis' unseen report on the June 2009 attacks on the dormitories of Tehran University.

1555 GMT: Victory is Ours! Hojatoleslam Hossein Taeb, the head of the intelligence bureau of the Revolutionary Guard, has declared, "The people have isolated the leaders of fitna [sedition] and denied them the chance to appear in public."

1445 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. It is reported that Dr Hessam Firouzi, physician and human rights activist, has been released.

1420 GMT: The Attack on the Clerics. Another reminder of the significance of Mr Verde's analysis, "The Supreme Leader and the Attacks on the Clerics": Zahra Rahnavard has written, "By targeting religious and scientific figures, who have always been aligned with the people, whether it be the elderly, the youth, children, men or women of all kind, who have benefited from their words, the ruling powers have once again demonstrated the extent of their malice."

1405 GMT: On a day when we have had to concede defeat to political posturing, President Ahmadinejad has, as the English would put it (I am told), "taken the biscuit" with a classic comment about the need for people to be fully informed so they can hold their leaders to account.

Really. Have a read.

1355 GMT: And Human Rights? Any More Poses on Human Rights? Why, yes....

Iran's Foreign Ministry has rejected the statement by 56 members of the UN Human Rights Commission (see 0715 GMT) condemning Tehran's suppression of post-election dissent. The statement, according to Iranian officials, was "unreal and with political intentions".

1345 GMT: Sanctions Front (Again). The European Union has now approved the new sanctions regime against Tehran, going beyond the UN resolution for restrictions on finance and shipping to authorise prohibition on "new investment, technical assistance and transfers of technologies, equipment and services related to these areas, in particular related to refining, liquefaction and Liquefied Natural Gas technology."

1335 GMT: And How About Those Foreigners and "Terrorism"? Britain has rejected the charge by the Iranian Government that it supported plans by the People's Mojahedin of Iran to bomb Tehran squares on 12 June: "We made clear we condemn all terrorism everywhere. The Government firmly rejects any allegation of British involvement in any such activity," said the Foreign Office.

1320 GMT: On the Sanctions Front. Almost impossible to keep the smoke clear with political volleys coming in from all directions. According to Interfax, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has complicated today's US and European Union game of public pressure on Tehran with escalated sanctions, outside the United Nations framework. "We are extremely disappointed by the fact that the U.S. and the EU are not heeding our calls to refrain from such steps," Ryabkov told reporters.

However, as Moscow continues to balance its position, Ryabkov said that Russia will stop shipments of anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 to Iran: "We understand it as the resolution enacted a ban on shipment of these systems to Iran."

1010 GMT: What Next for the Green Movement? Amidst a flurry of Iran news --- and some misinformed conclusions about the state of the Government and the "opposition" --- I missed what appears to be a worthwhile collection of six articles, written before the 12 June anniversary of the election but translated into English afterwards, from Gozaar: "Will the Greens Last?"

0715 GMT: Just Another Posture? In a statement on Wednesday, 56 members of the UN Human Rights Council rebuked Iran for its human rights record in the past year, citing “the violent suppression of dissent, detention and executions without due process of law, severe discrimination against women and minorities including people of Baha'i faith, and restrictions of expression and religion”.

China, Cuba, and Pakistan protested against the announcement, prepared by Norway and the US, but 16 members of UN Human Rights Council and all the 37 members of the European Union signed the statement.

0625 GMT: A lot of smoke on Wednesday, with the US and Europe threatening the Iranian Government and the Iranian Government threatening dissidents: we've summarised in a separate entry.

How to clear that smoke and get to the significant developments? Here's a start....

Khatami's Intervention

Former Iranian President, Mohammad Khatami has condemned last Sunday's attacks by regimes supporters on the home of Grand Ayatollah Sane'i: "They are trying to pass a kind of fascistic behaviour as the way of Islam and Revolution in society.”

Meeting the youth branch of the Etemade Melli party, Khatami said: “When they treat the residence of Ayatollah Sanei in this manner, we should be concerned. We cannot say these are arbitrary acts when in complete freedom and security they feel free to commit any insult and injury and they are equipped with such equipment that is not easily acquired by ordinary people.”

Attack on the Clerics (continued)

Arash Aramesh notes an editorial in Keyhan maintaining the public pressure on senior clerics to mend their ways:

Why is it that the great Sources of Emulation considered the people’s objection to Mr. Seyyed Hassan Khomeini [the heckling at the 4 June ceremony for Ayatollah Khomeini] an insult to Imam and his family and condemned it while they [Sources of Emulation] remained silent and sensed no threat when leaders of sedition and their supporters insulted Imam Hussein…and formed a coalition with hypocrites, Baha’is, monarchists, and Marxists against Islam and the revolution?

Political Prisoner Watch

Seven prominent post-election detainees, including Mohsen Aminzadeh, Mostafa Tajzadeh, Abdullah Ramezanzadeh, Mohsen Safaei Farahani, Behzad Nabavi, and Mohsen Mirdamadi have asked Parliament for an investigation of arrests, interrogations and illegal trials.

Follow-Up to 22 Khordaad

We conferred with some of the best Iran-watchers yesterday in London: best estimate --- and it has to be a rough estimate at this point --- is that on 12 June, the anniversary of the election, there were several thousand people out in Tehran and demonstrations in some other cities.

Meanwhile, RAHANA adds the information that the protest at Shiraz University was blocked by an "unprecedented" presence of security units, Intelligence agents, and plainclothes forces, scattering the students.

Iran: The Attack on Montazeri, Sane'i, Karroubi

UPDATE 1730 GMT: Journalist Masih Alijenad reports that the home of Sohrab Arabi, who was killed during the 15 June demonstrations, was attacked by plainclothesmen this weekend. Alinejad's revelation comes in an interview with Arabi's mother, activist Parvin Fahimi.



An article in Saham News, the website linked to Mehdi Karroubi --- translated by the Facebook page linked to Mir Hossein Mousavi --- both clarifies and indicates the seriousness of Sunday's harassment of Karroubi, Grand Ayatollah Sane'i, and the family of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. More links and information can be found in our updates for today:

Mehdi Karroubi traveled to the city of Qom to visit Grand Ayatollah Sane'i, a senior reformist figure, at 2:00 PM local time yesterday 13 June. A short time after Mehdi Karroubi arrived at the house of Grand Ayatollah Sane'i, a group of organized thugs gathered in front and started chanting slogans against Karroubi and Sane'i. These plainclothes thugs attacked the car of Mehdi Karroubi with chains and batons and severely damaged it. These individuals, by throwing stones at the house of Grand Ayatollah Sane'i ,vandalized the building. The thugs chanted slogans against Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the late Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, Grand Ayatollah Sane'i, Mehdi Karroubi, and Mir Hossein Mousavi, and in support of the Supreme Leader.

Mehdi Karroubi at 6:30 PM local time, after leaving the house of Grand Ayatollah Sane'i, first went to the house of Ahmad Montazeri, the eldest son of late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, who was the spiritual leader of the Green Movement, then visited Saeed Montazeri, another son of late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, and finally went to the house of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. Unfortunately, when Mehdi Karroubi was visiting the family of late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, these thugs, by attacking and throwing stones to the house of the late Grand Ayatollah, broke the windows and severely vandalized the building.

At 11:30 PM Mehdi Karroubi, because of this mob attack on the house of late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri and the request by the Revolutionary Guards, police, and security forces of the city of Qom moved to the building owned by Revolutionary Guards and next to the house of the later Grand Ayatollah. Finally, with arrangements by the security forces of the city of Qom at 4:00 AM on Monday, 14 June, Karroubi left the Revolutionary Guards’ building and returned to Tehran.

Mehdi Karroubi travelled to the city of Qom yesterday to visit with Grand Ayatollah Saanei and Seyyed Hassan Khomeini.

Iran Analysis: The Regime's Next Push Against "Nothing Special"

Having failed to shut down all public signs of opposition this weekend, the Iranian Government seems to be making yet one more push to get rid of pesky dissent.

On the one hand, authorities are playing down the demonstrations of 22 Khordaad (12 June). Tehran police chief Hossein Sajedinia claimed, “Throughout yesterday nothing particular happened in the capital and a limited number of people, about 91 suspects, were arrested by the police and delivered to the judiciary.” (Opposition reports of detentions range from 200 in Tehran to more than 900 across Iran.)

Deputy Commander Ahmadreza Radan asserted that only a few people, "deceived by anti- Revolutionary television and internet networks”, were detained. He added, "Nothing special happened."



Given that"nothing special" happened, the Government sure did appear jumpy yesterday. There are reports that all blogs based on WordPress --- EA is one (though, in case anyone in Tehran is not, it will not be from this summer) --- have been filtered.

After a period in which he tried to use contact with political prisoners to get them to "repent", Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi also appears to be taking a tougher line. Kalemeh reports that his office has slapped on tough restrictions on detainees' meetings with their families.

But perhaps the most ominous sign that the supposed non-events of 22 Khordaad will be met with renewed aggression came beyond the Government with claims of Basiji intimidation of senior clerics and opposition figures. Sunday was "distinguished" by reports, accompanied by video, of plainclothes protesters harassing Saeed Montazeri, the son of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, Grand Ayatollah Yusuf Sane'i, and Mehdi Karroubi. That challenge, with an apparent declaration, "We want to make it such that these guys can never insult Islam or the revolution again", follows the humiliation of Seyed Hassan Khomeini, the Ayatollah's grandson, on 4 June.

But here the paradox of the Government's supposed legitimacy arises. With each loud turn of the screw, not just against the opposition but against those who are supposedly part of the Iranian system, President Ahmadinejad and Co. provoke more dissent from within. While 22 Khordaad temporarily overtook last week's challenge to the Government from conservative/principlist figures like Ali Motahari, expect that challenge to re-emerge this week.

(Over the weekend, Mohammad Nabi Habibi, the Secretary General of the Motalefeh Party, gave an extensive interview to Khabar Online in which he said, "We are no longer criticising but protesting against" the President's chief aide Esfandiar Rahim-Mashai for his deviation from Islam, writing six letters to Ahmadinejad. , wrote AN about 6 letters.

Habibi added the complaint that the President was not kind to parties other than those that he considered "good smelling" --- rayehe khosh khedmat.)

"Nothing special" sure does feel a bit tense this morning.