2115 GMT: Battling with Statements. The Assembly of Combatant Clergymen has condemned those it says are responsible for violence on Ashura, namely the security forces and plainclothes militia: “The Almighty God will cut off the hands of these deceived fools.” The Assembly added:

Today we should cry blood that on the day of Hossein’s Aashura and after all sorts of insults to Imam Khomeini’s family and his legacy by the phony defenders of the revolution, there was an attack on the prayer hall [in Jamaran, where former President Khatami was speaking] that is a reminder of the name and memory of the Imam. The peaceful ritual of commemorating Aashura was attacked by clubs, batons and chains and by insulting slogans. Those who [did this] made the utmost insults to both Ashura and Imam Khomeini and then beat and bashed innocent people.

Daftar-Tahkim-Vahdat, the main reformist Student Alumni Organisation, also issued a statement:

What a regret that a government that considers itself to be risen from religious teachings and a national revolution, on the noon of Ashura opens fire on innocents and does what even the most notorious rulers of this country throughout the history [e.g. the Shah deposed in 1979] had not dared to do.

2055 GMT: Taking Sides? We’ve posted the video of President Obama’s statement (see 2020 GMT) and it’s even harder-hitting than we thought:”History will be on the side of those who seek justice”

2035 GMT: How Many Detained Yesterday? Rah-e-Sabz reports that 400 to 500 protesters were arrested Sunday in Isfahan, including the brother and two nephews of former Minister of Interior Abdollah Nouri. Human Rights Activists News Agency are now saying 1100 people have been transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

2025 GMT: Dastghaib Calls for A Movement. Ayatollah Dastgheib has issued a statement for fellow marja (high-ranking clerics) to join him in calling on the Government to adhere to the Constitution.

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2020 GMT: Obama Speaks. The US Government has definitely decided to throw rhetorical support behind the Iranian opposition. The President, in a press conference which will focus on the foiled attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound jet, has taken the time to comment on events in Iran.
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Tags: Abdollah Nouri, Alireza Beheshti Shirazi, Ashura, Assembly of Teachers and Researchers of Qom, Association for Defense of Prisoners Right, Association of Combatant Clergy, Ayatollah Ali Mohammad Dastghaib, Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, Ayatollah Jaleleddin Taheri, Barack Obama, Behrouz Tashakkor, Daftar-Tahkim-Vahdat, Democratic Front of Iranian People, Ebrahim Mousavi, Emad Baghi, Etemaad, Faezeh Hashemi, Fars News, Ghorban Behzadian-Nejad, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, HomyLafayette, Human Rights Activists News Agency, Iran, Iran Elections 2009, Islamic Republic News Agency, Javan Farda, Mahin Fahimi, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad Baghriyan, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution, Mostafa Izadi, Nazila Fathi, Neda Agha Soltan, Neo-Resistance, Parleman News, Robert Worth, Saham News, Seyed Ali Mousavi, The Newest Deal

2055 GMT: No Big Deal for Engagement. Iran’s declaration of plans for “10 enrichment plants” changes little in the political equation. Here is the statement from British Foreign Minister David Miliband:

We have stated over and again that we recognise Iran’s right to a civilian nuclear programme, but they must restore international confidence in their intentions. Instead of engaging with us Iran chooses to provoke and dissemble. Iran can flaunt its isolation but this will only increase the calm, determination and unity of the international community. I urge Iran to recognise this, and to accept the outstretched hand on offer.

2020 GMT: A Holiday from Protests. Pedestrian has noted the Government’s sudden declaration that schools will be closed on 14 Azar (5 December) and that Government offices must give employees the day off if they wish. As 15 Azar (6 December) is already a holiday for Eid-e Ghadir, Pedestrian summarises:

This means that on Monday, 16 Azar, the day of the student demonstrations, many students will be away on holiday. Workers and employees will not able to take some of the day off having just gotten back after a 4 day holiday [Thursday --- some government offices, all universities and some schools are closed on Thursdays --- Friday, Saturday and Sunday]. More importantly, this will also mean that the crucial days before the demonstrations, all schools will be closed and students will not have the chance to do last minute planning.

This is not a new trick: I recall that, earlier in the post-election crisis, the Government also offered a last-minute holiday before one of the mass gatherings.

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1944 GMT: Advar News has posted a story and photographs of today’s protest at Tehran University.
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Tags: 16 Azar, Advar News, Ali Larijani, Brazil, David Miliband, Evin Prison, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran, Iran Elections 2009, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Pedestrian