The situation continues to develop:
Hundreds of students at Tehran University renewed anti-government protests for a second week on Sunday, accusing authorities of fabricating images of demonstrators burning photos of the Islamic Republic’s revered founder.
Students moved to the forefront of opposition on the streets with massive protests last week. They say authorities are using the images of burning photos as a pretext to crack down on their protests, which have helped revitalize the pro-reform movement.
State television has repeatedly shown images, ostensibly taken during student-led protests on Dec. 7, of unidentified hands burning and tearing up pictures of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It was a grave and illegal insult against the former leader, still widely respected in the country. The elite Revolutionary Guard, the country’s most powerful military force, called for the trial and punishment of those responsible.
This may get even uglier very soon. It is possible that the protesters are burning pictures of Khomeini. But, given their discipline so far, I find the idea that the regime is fomenting outrage to be just as likely. It would be the latest increasingly desperate act of a besieged regime. But it’s an effective one that could unite the pro-regime forces.
I remain optimistic about Iran. My optimism is based mostly on demographics—they have too many young people to hang on.
Tick tock, motherfuckers.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.