TEHRAN, Iran - -- A cry from the streets of Tehran put Iranian attitudes toward America at the center of a day of violent clashes Wednesday.
"Obama, Obama!" protesters chanted on a day marking the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover. "Either you're with them, or with us."TEHRAN, Iran - -- A cry from the streets of Tehran put Iranian attitudes toward... more
Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Protesters clashed with police at a central Tehran square on Wednesday while government supporters nearby marked the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy capture with chants of "Death to America."
Scenes in the Iranian capital turned ugly yet again as riot police and pro-government Basij militia turned out in force to quash anti-government sentiment.
At least 2,000 opposition supporters, sternly warned by authorities to stay home, marched defiantly at Haft-e-Tir Square, witnesses said. Many held up their hands in a V sign. Others shouted "Allahu Akbar," or "God is great," a slogan of protest. Police blocked all roads leading to the square, prompting massive traffic jams.
Witnesses described helmet-clad security personnel beating demonstrators with batons and firing tear gas at Haft-e-Tir Square and in a neighborhood a few kilometers north.
"I had never seen that many riot police and security personnel," a witness told CNN. "They were brought in by the busloads. As soon as crowds gathered somewhere, riot police were there within minutes."http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ixeFBxfLzaSjs8Mb8cuFmtPOT6-wD9BOQFOG0... more
Teheran, il popolo iraniano e’ costretto a subire ancora violenze, e’ successo oggi durante la manifestazione antiamericana che celebra il trentesimo anniversario della presa degli ostaggi della ambasciata usa. Nei giorni scorsi I leader dell’opposizione, Moussavi e Karrubi avevano invitato propri sostenitori ad unirsi alla manifestazione onde dimostrare ancora una volta il proprio dissenso per le elezioni dello scorso giugno che videro vincitore il presidente Amadinejad, elezioni caratterizzate da una profonda corruzione, fecero da miccia ad una rivolta popolare, che le forze dell’ordine spensero con arrogante violenza e orribili soprusi. Ancora oggi non si conosce il numero delle vittime a seguito dei tumulti di quest’estate. Oggi, secondo il sito del riformista Moussavi, la polizia avrebbe sparato contro la folla, ferendo alcune persone, e causando cosi’ violenti scontri che sono ancora in atto in piazza Haft e Tir .Il presidente americano Obama ha lanciato un invito all’Iran nel quale esige una decisione finale affiche’ il governo iraniano decida se svincolarsi dall’odio che lo tiene legato al passato per incominciare un percorso di collaborazione con le grandi potenze. Cio’ che e’ certo e’ che Amadinejad ed il suo governo hanno fatto sfogio ancora una volta della loro intolleranza e la sola vittima in questa dittatura resta l’ormai stanco ma combattivo popolo iranianoTeheran, il popolo iraniano e’ costretto a subire ancora violenze, e’ successo... more
Just hours after Iranian President Ahmadinejad agreed to accept an IAEA deal to enrich uranium out of the country, they suddenly backed out. The plan had been to take Iran's nuclear stockpile and send it to Russia to be enriched. It's disappointing for those concerned about Iran's plans for its enriching uranium - though I don't think it's particularly surprising.
I was thinking about how long Iran has been playing this game, and it brought to mind this Supernews gem: Iran: Deal or No Deal?
That piece was produced in 2006. Over three years ago. It's kind of disheartening to see what looks like the same game playing out, but with a few different players. No more Bush or Condoleeza Rice, and Putin is now the Prime Minister of Russia, not the President. But it's hard not to watch this and see Iran doing the same things today. Is there another card up the Obama Administration's negotiating sleeve? Let's hope so.
Iran's negotiators have toughened their stance on the nuclear programme, signalling that Tehran will refuse to go ahead with an agreement to hand over 75 per cent of its enriched uranium.Iran's negotiators have toughened their stance on the nuclear programme, signalling... more
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards promised a "crushing" response to an attack that killed several senior commanders, state television said on Monday, as the death toll from the deadliest such incident in years rose to 42.TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards promised a "crushing" response to... more
In Italy we are still able to tell what's happening around, because is not a crime, yet. In Iran or in Cuba it is a crime. Two women, journalists, are challenging censorship because they are writing what they are living. But, unfortunately, they have lost freedom. And one, Fariba Pajoob, is already in jail.In Italy we are still able to tell what's happening around, because is not a crime,... more
True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice - Martin Luther King, jr."The young woman who marches silently in the streets on behalf of her right to be... more
When demonstrators took to the streets after Iran’s disputed Presidential election, many of them were students. That’s why, as Iran’s universities opened back up to students this week, many expected widespread student demonstrations.
The NY Times Lede Blog links to this great first-person video walking along with protests at Tehran University.
As for the other big Iran story: potential threats to the regime’s reputation from abroad. As news from the US is that Obama is preparing to set up a new round of sanctions, Tehran announced today that it will allow inspectors from the IAEA to come in and take a look around the Qom facility revealed last week. What will they find? A facility for purely civilian use? More roadblocks? We’ll see…When demonstrators took to the streets after Iran’s disputed Presidential election,... more
TEHRAN, Iran (Sept. 28) - Iran tested its most advanced missiles Monday to cap two days of war games, raising more international concern and stronger pressure to quickly come clean on the newly revealed nuclear site Tehran was secretly constructing.TEHRAN, Iran (Sept. 28) - Iran tested its most advanced missiles Monday to cap two... more
Big weekend for Iran: After having its new nuclear facility outed, the Islamic Republic shot off a few missiles. Meanwhile, according to the NY Times, the Obama Administration is ’scrambling’ to come up with a new package of sanctions against Iran, probably targeting their crucial oil and gas sector.
It’s a delicate time for the US and Iran, since they’re about to sit down face to face in four (count ‘em FOUR) days.
It’s not like these are the first sanctions the US has levied against Iran. Last year, Collective Journalism contributors Golboo Fuizii (a documentary filmmakers living in Tehran) and Kouross Esmaeli, an Iranian-American filmmaker based in NY, worked together to produce this intimate look at how Iranians view the West. Sanctions were, unsurprisingly, a big topic of conversation. VIDEO BELOW
So will sanctions have any impact? What's the right way to approach Iran - especially with just four day until we sit down to negotiate?Big weekend for Iran: After having its new nuclear facility outed, the Islamic... more
Image: The existence of Natanz was revealed by exiled groups several years ago.
Iran has revealed the existence of a second uranium enrichment plant, the UN nuclear watchdog has confirmed.
Tehran made the announcement earlier this week in a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed ElBaradei.
Iran has previously acknowledged it has one enrichment plant at Natanz, which IAEA inspectors are monitoring.
The US, UK and France are set to accuse Iran of concealing the plant later on Friday, media reports say.
They and other Western nations have long feared that Iran is planning to develop an atomic weapon.
Iran has revealed the existence of a second uranium enrichment plant, the UN nuclear watchdog has confirmed.
Tehran made the announcement earlier this week in a letter to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed ElBaradei.
Iran has previously acknowledged it has one enrichment plant at Natanz, which IAEA inspectors are monitoring.
The US, UK and France are set to accuse Iran of concealing the plant later on Friday, media reports say.
They and other Western nations have long feared that Iran is planning to develop an atomic weapon.
IRAN'S NUCLEAR SITES:
Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for energy, not military purposes
Bushehr: Nuclear power plant
Isfahan: Uranium conversion plant
Natanz: Uranium enrichment plant, 4,592 working centrifuges, with 3,716 more installed
Second enrichment plant: Existence revealed to IAEA in Sept 2009. Separate reports say it is near Qom, and not yet operational
Arak: Heavy water plant
Tehran has always insisted its programme is for peaceful means.
Iran is supposed to have stopped all enrichment under threat of sanctions from the UN Security Council.
News of the Iranian letter comes days before Iran is due to enter fresh talks over its controversial nuclear programme.
France called Iran's move a "serious violation" of UN Security Council resolutions.
The IAEA confirmed it received a letter from Iran on Monday informing it that "a new pilot fuel enrichment plant is under construction".
Iran told the agency that no nuclear material had been introduced into the plant, and enrichment levels would only be high enough to make nuclear fuel, not a bomb.
In response, the IAEA has requested Iran to "provide specific information and access to the facility as soon as possible", an IAEA statement adds.
Iran insists that all its nuclear facilities are for energy, not military purposesImage: The existence of Natanz was revealed by exiled groups several years ago.... more
Washington, 18 September (WashingtonTV)—France on Friday expressed concern by reports of violence towards Iranian opposition leaders, who joined tens of thousands of people at a rally in Tehran.
..................... http://www.televisionwashington.com/floater_article1.aspx?lang=en&t=2&id=14128Washington, 18 September (WashingtonTV)—France on Friday expressed concern by... more
Just shy of the September 15th deadline set by United States President Barack Obama, Iran has indicated that it is once again ready to hold talks over its nuclear proliferation; calling them an "updated nuclear proposal."
Details of the proposal are not clear, and they have not been formally addressed to the UN powers. This all comes a day before 6 of the UN's main powers meet in Germany to discuss the Iranian situation, and is likely to be viewed as a poor attempt to stifle talks of sever sanctions.Just shy of the September 15th deadline set by United States President Barack Obama,... more
Supporters of the Iranian opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, have taken to the streets of Tehran shouting "Death to the dictator", reports say.Supporters of the Iranian opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, have taken to the... more
Washington, 5 August (WashingtonTV)—Britain on Wednesday defended its decision to send its ambassador to Tehran to the inauguration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying “hard-headed diplomacy” was required in its dealings with Iran.
... http://televisionwashington.com/floater_article1.aspx?lang=en&t=2&id=12801Washington, 5 August (WashingtonTV)—Britain on Wednesday defended its decision to... more
AFP is reporting that prominent Iranian director Jafar Panahi (“Offside”, “The Circle”) was arrested today, along with his wife and daughter, at a ceremony where mourners gathered to commemorate slain election protesters. AFP notes that “Panahi is a vocal critic of Iran hardliners and his movies have been banned for a decade from domestic cinemas despite their international success.” Several other mourners were also arrested by Iranian riot police. They were marking the 40th day since the death of Neda Agha-Soltan, a woman “who came to symbolise the protest movement against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.”AFP is reporting that prominent Iranian director Jafar Panahi (“Offside”, “The... more
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran will strike the nuclear facilities of Israel is they attack Iran, said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.TEHRAN, Iran — Iran will strike the nuclear facilities of Israel is they attack... more
Tehran-At least 17 people were killed and 23 injured when a passenger aircraft veered off the runway and hit a wall while landing at Mashhad airport in northeastern Iran on Friday, media reports said.Tehran-At least 17 people were killed and 23 injured when a passenger aircraft veered... more
The politics of Iran are confusing and Byzantine at best, though outright chaos is possible. Iran is often called a "constitutional theocracy" - that is, there is a written constitution and body of laws that define an Islamic Republic, and are of course often violated (*cough cough Article 24*). The "Supreme Leader" Ayatollah Ali Hoseyni Khamene’i is really the guy in charge of the country - he has authority over everything, from approving laws, to approving elections.
A Supreme Leader is chosen by the "Assembly of Experts," all of whom are religious experts, and is currently headed by Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. The "Guardian Council" are more Islamic jurists, some appointed directly by the Supreme Leader, some appointed by the "Majlis" after being recommended by the Supreme Leader's judicial system. The Majlis is the legislative body, a sort of bourgoise elected body, whose power to enact laws is controlled by the Supreme Leader. The President of Iran is an elected official (elected from candidates the Supreme Leader permits to run, and elections approved by the Supreme Leader) who executes the Supreme Leader's plans for foreign policy and budgeting.
So when reform politicians, like Ayatollah Rafsanjani, spent this week calling for more freedoms, they were in direct opposition to the Supreme Leader. These statements include Rafsanjani's sermon on Friday, Mir Hossein Mousavi's and wife Zahra Rahnavard's public appearances, including meeting with families of those arrested during the protests and calling for a new party to advocate for more freedoms, and former President Khatami calling for a referendum on the election's legitimacy. Supreme Leader is not pleased.
Let's be clear here - these politicians are not liberal democrats, they do not want a democracy with full Western freedoms. They do have power, though, and can push the Majlis and Presidency through popular votes. With enough coattails, they can start pushing members of the Revolutionary Guard, the Guardian Council, the Assembly of Experts, and even the Basij. If these guys were liberal democrats, they would have no chance at change. If they can put enough pressure on the Conservatives, they might be able to change the Constitution to remove the central authority of the Supreme Leader, and relegate him to just another Ayatollah.
Full revolution seems nigh impossible, even though the Iranian population is typically far to the left of the government. Major General Ataollah Salehi (Commander in Chief of the Iranian Army) sees no problem speaking truth to power, and has openly criticized the other branch of the Iranian ground forces, the Army of Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (often called the "Revolutionary Guard," which also controls the Basij). Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari (commander of the Revolutionary Guard) is a conservative, but not a radical like President Ahmadinejad. Mostafa Mohammad Najjar is the Defense Minister, but more of a technical administrator, who was in command of some terrorist actions in Lebanon, and is on the record as fiercely advocating against nuclear weapons for Iran. Tehran Police Chief Azizullah Rajabzadeh seems to have been letting Basij do most of the beat downs in the latest rounds of violence, but the Basij seem more in control than he does. Its hard to believe any of these individuals would be willing to order their forces to support any new revolution.The politics of Iran are confusing and Byzantine at best, though outright chaos is... more
