The Latest from Iran (7 September): Countdown to 18 September Begins

NEW Iran Urgent: Mousavi HQ Raided by Security Forces
Iran: Green Wave Resurgent?
Iran’s Victims: The 72 People Killed in Post-Election Conflict
Iran: Resistance and Music – New Shajarian Song “Language of Fire”
The Latest from Iran (6 September): The Reformists Speak

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2030 GMT: No Criticism Here. Press TV's website writes out the admonition of the Supreme Leader to President Ahmadinejad and the Cabinet to take heed of "benevolent criticism" (see 1830 GMT). Instead the report emphasizes Ayatollah Khamenei's declaration about the legitimacy established by the election, “The nation and the Islamic Revolution have proven their republican nature. If officials, elites and political experts understand this fact, many of the country's problems will be resolved."

1930 GMT: Is the Regime Targeting Leaders' Children? That's the question asked by one of our readers, who noticed the arrest of Atefeh Emam, the 18-year old daughter of Mir Hossein Mousavi's Chief of Staff, Javad Emam, who is still detained himself. She was reportedly released earlier today, after 24 hours of continuous interrogation, near a Tehran cemetery.

Earlier in the crisis, the regime arrested several members of the family of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, and pressure has been placed this week on the son of Mehdi Karroubi.

1830 GMT: Khamenei Manoeuvres. In a line which is not that far from the "conservative" Society of Militant Clergy criticism of the President, the Supreme Leader has advised Ahmadinejad and his Cabinet: "There is internal criticism backed by foreign media with the aim of sabotage but there is also benevolent criticism which may not come from supporters of the government but they contain good comments."

1710 GMT: Clerics Warn Ahmadinejad. The reformist Association of Teachers and Researchers of Qom have issued a statement warning that the regime cannot be maintained with military force, arrests, and brutality.

More intriguing, however, may be a finger-wagging at the President from the "conservative" Society of Militant Clergy, their first intervention in the post-election crisis:

We ask the president and the government to seriously try to solve people’s problems and the country’s economic and social issues, and avoid talking about unnecessary and provocative issues. The comments made and the disrespect committed in the debates, speeches and rallies before and after the election caused divergence.

The Society criticised the opposition for pursuing demands "outside law", but it also called for "consoling" those harmed in the unrest.

Possibly Relevant Fact: One of the members of the Society is former President Hashemi Rafsanjani.

1645 GMT: A Norooz News article, featured on Mir Hossein Mousavi's Facebook page, says that:

"Security Forces attacked the Staff office of Mir Hossein Mousavi which was resposible for following the issues of the detainees, without any legal premisson. All documentations were confiscated and taken out to... an unknown destination. As Staff members asked for receipt, security forces answered that no documents will be given back, thus there will be no receipt !!"

(Thanks to Mike Dunn for covering, as I was stuck in traffic when this came through. We have posted as a separate entry, cleaning up some of the text and adding a brief analysis.)

1430 GMT: We've been watching since reports came in yesterday of a meeting in Qom between Grand Ayatollahs Golpaygani and Makarem-Shirazi. Now the website of the Green movement, Mowj-e-Sabz, is reporting that there were several Grand Ayatollahs and senior clerics, including Bayat-Zanjani, Montazeri, and Mousavi-Ardebili, in the discussion of "practical steps against the coup government", after receving letters from political and social activists.

1340 GMT: Fars News reports that Press TV will soon air a "roundtable" of detainees Saeed Hajjarian, Mohammad Atrianfar, and Saeed Shariati on the causes of their "change of attitude and intellectual development".

1130 GMT: We're here but it is a very slow day, with little breaking on the political front.

There is one story that catches the eye. According to Tehran Bureau, via a source, the revelations of the abuses of detainees in Kahrizak Prison cames from a photographer for the Supreme Leader.

The well-known documentary maker and photojournalist, who recorded the eight-year Iraq-Iran war and became a ‘Sacred Defense’ photographer, was arrested during the post-election unrest and taken to Kahrizak where he was abused and tortured. After his release, he informed Ayatollah Khamenei about jail rapes and prisoner abuse. When the Supreme Leader expressed disbelief, the man revealed that he was one of the victims: "What they did was inhumane and in violation of all human rights… When they did those things to me, in my eyes it was you who was doing them."

Soon after this, Khamenei ordered the closure of the notorious detention center.

(The photojournalist was one of the cameramen who made Mir Hossein Mousavi’s campaign films, although it is unclear if they played any part in his arrest. He has also worked on a documentary about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.)

0850 GMT: If the BBC was paying attention, rather than trotting along with the notion of Iran's Nuclear Programme Above All Else (see 0820 GMT), it might have noticed these comments from President Ahmadinejad in his press conference, directed at the opposition movement:

The election and post-election events was victory of Iranian nation's morality against immoralities. The other victory of Iranian nation was success in removing contamination from Revolution.

0840 GMT: Rafsanjani Speaks. A small amendment to the end of today's analysis, "The large presence of Hashemi Rafsanjani has disappeared." The former President said, at a ceremony to commemorate Ayatollah Ali Qoddousi, Iran's prosecutor general who was killed by Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) in 1981:

It is a vital need of the Islamic Republic and establishment to find a way to strengthen national unity and establish peace in the country. In the recent events, the sides should act in a way which will guarantee national unity.

Small amendment, indeed, as the statement just repeats Rafsanjani's cautious, hold-the-line comments that we evaluated in mid-August.

0820 GMT: MediaWatch. The New York Times does another good job this morning, picking up on the Khatami statement and Mousavi letter (though missing Karroubi's moves) that we've highlighted all weekend and in today's analysis. The Washington Post also mention Khatami and Mousavi but hide the impact by tucking them away under a headline on an older story, "Iran Canceling Major Ramadan Events in Wake of Election Protests".

CNN are nowhere to be found, preferring to go with "Chavez Pledges Closer Ties with Iran". Al Jazeera also gets distracted by the Venezuela dimension. Even worse at the BBC, which falls for the Iranian President's "Look Over There!" trick, "Tehran 'ready for global talks'".

0800 GMT: We heard about this story all day yesterday and are keeping a close eye on it (any information would be welcomed):

A group of Revolutionary Guards have resigned from the force according to Hosein Hashemian, an Iranian lawmaker. Mr. Hashemian told Parleman News Website that the unacceptable interference of the Revolutionary Guards in political matters has caused a rift in the force.

The story of resignations, including those of unit commanders, has been about since the start of the crisis, and more than 30 Islamic Revolution Guard Corps members have been arrested.

However, at this point without further confirmation, I am treating this as a bit of "psychological warfare" from the opposition to unsettle the Government. In particular, it is part of the fightback against the recent statements of the Revolutionary Guard's chief commander, General Mohammad Ali Jafari (see our separate analysis today): Hashemian called for Jafari to be detained for his claim that former President Khatami and other reformists were trying to "unseat" the regime.

0655 GMT: We've spent the morning on two special pieces. First and foremost, Josh Shahryar of Anonymous Iran's "The Green Brief" has spent hours translating into English, from the list provided by the Iranian website Norooz,  the names and descriptions of 72 people killed in post-election violence. Given that regime figures like high-ranking member of Parliament Alaeddin Boroujerdi have been trying to deny there is any evidence for the deaths, we think this is a vital document of record.

The second piece is an analysis, after a weekend of opposition statements, of the current political situation and the question of whether the Green Wave is moving towards a high-profile display of resistance on Qods Day, 18 September.

Comments

[Greenmail]

Don't put words in my mouth you will lose a finger. My venom is not towards Iran as you well know - I love Iran. My venom as I've made abundantly clear is towards the regime of Ahmadinejad and Khomenei and their supporters, like you. Hey, here's a slogan for you, "Ahmadinejad, he's better than Hitler (at the moment)." Or "Ahmadinejad, better than the Black Death."

Yes, Nato has killed innocent people in Afghanistan, but not intentionally AFAIK. I fought against Bush Cheney too - and against the Russian ocupation of Afghanistan - the Russians whom you admire so much. Once again you are justifying barbarity with other barbarity. Aim Higher!

On one hand you threaten with talk of what the regime will do when it gets nukes and about how Iran is funding Hezbollah in other Lebanon (a sovereign nation) and on the other you talk about anti-imperialism. Talk about hypocrisy.

[Greenmail]

People aren't raped in America because they dared to protest the government, as millions of Americans did. The American system was under assault and in danger - putting the whole world in danger - but thanks to the constitution and institutions like the free media and the independent judiciary the yanks were able to get rid of Bush Cheney. Democracy isn't perfect, but it is much better than brutal dictatorship. Duh.

There is mounting evidence that rape has been used many times by the regime as a technique to torture and break the spirit of dissenters. If you really believe otherwise, then you are the naive one.

BTW, this sounds pretty imperialist to me: "Iran will be the dominant power in Iraq despite billions of dollars spent and the efforts of thousands of Americans soldiers over 6 years. The Hezbollah is an equal partner in Lebanon and will soon be in control given the demographics of that country and its Shiite majority."

[Samuel]

"I fought against Bush Cheney too – and against the Russian ocupation of Afghanistan – the Russians whom you admire so much. Once again you are justifying barbarity with other barbarity. Aim Higher!"
Correction: Soviet occupation. Yes sometimes barbarity justifies barbarity. The justification for arming Fundamentalist Afghanis (who weren't exactly democrats) made sense in the larger context of National Liberation from Soviet Imperialism.
The ANC engaged in terrorrism to overthrow the Apartheid regime and most now recognize that as fully justifiable. The PLO did the same with Iraeli ethnic cleansing.

[Greenmail]

But you are justifying barbarity against innocent people with unrelated barbarity. The regime is justified in beating raping torturing killing protesters (and mere bystanders) because Bush Cheney approved waterboarding or because Reagan-Bush gave money to the isi who passed it on to the fundamentalists (who did not do the most fighting against the soviets btw)? That is your logic?

Funny you mention the ANC. They are the spiritual cousins of today' s reformists.

Have you addressed my points about he regime's imperialist aims and its economic mismanagement of the economy despite high fuel prices or raping people to death for protesting -- which IIRC was done under the auspices of the Baij and the IRGC.

[Samuel]

"On one hand you threaten with talk of what the regime will do when it gets nukes and about how Iran is funding Hezbollah in other Lebanon (a sovereign nation) and on the other you talk about anti-imperialism. Talk about hypocrisy."

What the regime will do with its Nuclear weapon is deter the other Nuclear power in the Middle East. Maybe you haven't heard but there is another nuclear armed nation in the area already.

Once again knowing History is important. Hezbollah arose as a movement to kick out the Israeli occupying force in South Lebanon and a good thing too because in just a few years the Israelis would have been building settlemets in South Lebanon just like in the West Bank.

Their takeover of Lebanon is entirely within their self-interest and not at the bidding of Iran or anyone else. The Shiite population of Lebanon is simply the majority population right now and it will inevitably result in changing the present confessional system where the position of President is reserved for a Maronite Christian.

[Samuel]

Have you addressed my points about he regime’s imperialist aims and its economic mismanagement of the economy despite high fuel prices or raping people to death for protesting — which IIRC was done under the auspices of the Baij and the IRGC.

I don't believe that rape is govt. policy anymore that shooting Neda was govt. policy. If the govt. wanted to make it policy it would have been well known. When did the rapes begin? June 20th, in 2005 when AN got elected? Before that when Khatami, the great reformer, was in control? When Rafsanjani was in control? What about Rafsanjani's corruption. These are after all the leaders of the Reform movement. Which one among them brougt prosperity? Stop believing Reformist propaganda like a cult member.

Defend the Govts economic policy? Will you defend Khatami's during his eight years in office? What about Mousavi when he was Prime Minister? What a lame, silly point. Next we will be discussing the vaccination policies.

[Greenmail]

shouldn't the Lebanese change their system themselves without Iranian government meddling? Not all Lebanese shi'ites support Hezbollah btw. You said, “Iran will be the dominant power in Iraq despite billions of dollars spent and the efforts of thousands of Americans soldiers over 6 years. The Hezbollah is an equal partner in Lebanon and will soon be in control given the demographics of that country and its Shiite majority.” Your linking of the two points indicates an imperialist agenda. Ahmadinejad doesn't want to end imperialism. He just wants to replace the current brand with his own.

Meanwhile, the regime makes deals with China while the Chinese government oppresses and slaughters Uighers.

Hypocrisy.

Yeah, Israel has nukes unfortunately. But the answer is not more nukes in the world, but fewer! At least you admit Iran is going for nuclear weapons and not just peaceful nuclear energy. Time for the whole world to look into thorium energy and cut back the arsenals. Nuclear proliferation is now beyond insane. Mr. Freud had a theory about this missile lust btw.

If Iran does decide to go nuclear, it would be much better for all if those weapons were in the hands of sane people instead of violent nutjobs like the current leadership. Because most of the world looks at the regime leadership and thinks, "these people are batshit crazy." Then they look at the protesters with their green ribbons, balloons, flowers and sad little rocks and recognize true bravery and clarity.

[Greenmail]

stop believing regime propaganda like a cult member.

"I don’t believe that rape is govt. policy anymore that shooting Neda was govt. policy. "

Who's being naive now?

In the next breath you talk about how long they rapes have been going on.

You're right, the rapes you won't admit are policy have been policy for quite a long time, but preceding Khatami and Mousavi. According to credible witnesses the policy began not long after the revolution, and certainly were a leftover from savak days. This policy was administered by hardline elements over whom Mousavi and Khatami had little influence. AN and Khamenei do have influence and used it to incite brutality against the protesters while denying any abuse took place. At least Abtahi spoke about it in the Kazemi case.

The reformist leaders have evolved a lot since 79. The hardliners have not.

[The Latest from Iran (7 Septem]

[...] See the original post here: The Latest from Iran (7 September): Countdown to 18 September … [...]

[Samuel]

Outsider,
No, I am familiar with the Third Position ideolocy by I do not subscribe to it. Simply put I am a determined anti-imperialist; I oppose imperialism of the right and left but recognize western imperialism as the greatest historical threat. I take great comfort in the anti-imperialit alliances being created today.

By the way keep an eye on Ollanta Humala of Peru. He might very well be elected president in the next election and he would immediately become another ally of Iran in the region. I have met him and he is an impressive and highly intelligent individual with a great understanding of world history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ollanta_Humala

[Outsider]

So you are a determined anti-imperialist.
With all due respect to anti-imperialist movements and politicians in Latin America: It is not guaranteed that they know or understand much about Iranian politics.

As a determined anti-imperialist, what makes you so certain that:
a) Ahmadinejad is the one and only anti-imperialist politician in Iranian politics?
b) The reformists are neither anti-imperialist nor interested in an independent Iran?
c) Western imperialism is still the greatest historical threat, not a spent force on its way down?

Just as a historical reminder: The NSDAP was huge on anti-colonialist propaganda. The bridge was National Bolshevism (Otto Strasser, Ernst Niekisch), „often anti-capitalist in tone, and sympathetic towards certain nationalist forms of socialism“. But as soon as the NSDAP had stabilized its control of the population and smashed all independent organizations and parties (in this case especially the labour unions) by violent “powerful” means, all the anti-colonialist, anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist propaganda was thrown overboard including the “left wing” of the NSDAP, or toppled from power, namely the SA.
Another interesting example might be Marshal Phillippe Pétain. Or Ante Pavelic. Benito Mussolini. Antonio Salazar.

If something looks like “Machtergreifung”, sounds like “Machtergreifung”, smells like a “Machtergreifung”, there might be a slight chance that it is “Machtergreifung”.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machtergreifung
More information here: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macht%C3%BCbernahme

[ken mac]

[deleted by moderator]

[Greenmail]

"Samuel" isn't anti-imperialism - read his messages - they positively reek of imperial lust - he is anti-freedom and anti-democracy. He is pro-regime imperialism, he is for a regime that arrests people just for signing petitions, a regime that tortures peaceful protesters in unspeakable ways, that rapes people to death. He is pro-tyranny and anti-ideas, anti-free speech, anti-culture and anti-Iran.

[Outsider]

@ Greenmail
Since the first half of the 20th century there exists a variety of “anti-imperialist/anti-colonialist” propaganda that is used as a smokescreen for reactionary politics and since then there are gullible people who fall for it, feeling very tough and revolutionary (like “revolutionary violence”). And again and again they are very astonished when in the end they themselves are hit by the reactionary force behind the propaganda.
I guess “Samuel” would be one of these tragically naive characters - if it wasn’t that he probably lives far from Iran and so is in safety of being hit himself in the big clearing-up that always follows in the end. By the way, the same goes for all those inside the country in question who think they might find some sort of standstill agreement or strike a deal with a coup-government in “Machtergreifung”-mode.

[The Tribunal vs. Mehdi Karoubi]

[...] arrested soon after the disturbances over the elections broke out. His daughter had recently been arrested and released after being interrogated for 24 hours. He was recently released. Again, the Tribunal’s [...]