Ayatollahs are Running Scared. 500,000 Defy Threats with Rally. Iran's Top Mullah to Beg for Calm

NY Post ^ | June 18, 2009 | PARISA HAFEZI and HASHEM KALANTARI, and ANDY SOLTIS

[Scanian]

TEHRAN, Iran -- Hundreds of thousands of Iranians marched in quiet defiance on the fifth day of post-election chaos yesterday, setting the stage for a showdown today with the increasingly worried hard-liners.

Trying to stem the uprising, Iran's "supreme leader," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called in representatives of all four candidates in the dubious election, in an effort to quell the angry protests that threaten the 30-year-old Islamic regime.

Khamenei, who backed extremist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, has not been seen in a week but is expected to plead for calm tomorrow. Officials said he will make a rare appearance leading Friday prayers in Tehran.

Today, pro-reform activists plan a rally to mourn "martyrs" gunned down by regime thugs at this week's protests.

Among the latest developments:

* Ahmadinejad opponents cited proof of the rigged election, including figures that showed more than 30 Iranian towns cast more votes than they had registered voters.

One town, Taft, had a turnout of 141 percent, an opposition Web site said. Another town, Kouhrang, had 132 percent.

Government officials said there was a record 85 percent turnout nationally.

* At least 500 political activists, journalists and students were reported to have been arrested during the government's post-election crackdown.

Among those seized yesterday was Saeed Laylaz, editor of the business daily Sarmayeh, who warned last week that Iran could be headed for a post-election bloodbath.

* Iran accused the United States for the first time of "intolerable" meddling in the crisis.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I saw some photos,...I think on one of the threads yesterday.. where there were enforcers with the hoods over their heads.

[PapaBear3625]

BBC Arabic edition: 18 pics from Thursday rally (click on numbers under pics to scroll among them). See pics 1, 3, and 8 especially. This was a BIG rally.

Also youtube of rally

[Windflier]

== I have said it before and I will say it again: this is not a revolution I would personally be apart of ==

Forget my description of a “democratic form of government”. That’s just my label for what these people are after.

Essentially, they’re fed up with the tyranny they live under, and are screaming and protesting for the freedom to govern their country differently. The Iranian people simply want the yoke of the theocracy off their necks.

Surely, you support that.

[BunnySlippers]

Yours is an ideal outcome. I pray you are right.

[DB]

Strange.

I haven't seen any banners or otherwise protesting the Ayatollah’s per se.

Only Amanutjob.

And you do know that “their guy” was in line to replace the actual head tyrant as the next head tyrant?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just posted this...watch the Tweeter network...:

Khamenei tells Mousavi to toe the line over election or be cast out

Gonna get bloody ....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #85.

[Professional Engineer]

Good analysis, but you forgot the Rumanian Option, which is “brutally repress the people and still end up shot dead in a gutter”

As a Christmas present to to people!

[Windflier]

Strange. I haven't seen any banners or otherwise protesting the Ayatollah’s per se. Only Amanutjob.

It's not about Ahmadinejad or Mousavi.

Millions would not march through the streets, and brave being killed by the Ayatollah's goon squads over the choice of Puppet A, or Puppet B.

This is about much, much more than them.

[DB]

That’s a big assumption.

[Marine_Uncle]

So Mad Dog returns safe and sound.
One cannot help but wonder what was discussed in Moscow. I am sure more then just economical development was on the table.
After all. Russia made it clear to the world not that long ago it would come to the aid of Iran if it where attacked. To what extent is Pootie and his crew willing to back up that promise.
Perhaps Russian goons will be sent in to share the head cracking with the Islamic goons. Goons of a feather crack heads together.

[SunkenCiv]

Iran's "supreme leader," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called in representatives of all four candidates in the dubious election, in an effort to quell the angry protests that threaten the 30-year-old Islamic regime. Khamenei, who backed extremist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, has not been seen in a week but is expected to plead for calm tomorrow. Officials said he will make a rare appearance leading Friday prayers in Tehran. Today, pro-reform activists plan a rally to mourn "martyrs" gunned down by regime thugs at this week's protests. *

Thanks Ernest.

[Marine_Uncle]

From your #79: "...a concept by khomeini which has no traditional legitimation in Shia islam, will be rendered powerless or extremely weakened."
Of course I understand you realize they will have to literally rewrite portions of their constitution to have this take effect. Various articles outline the chain of command as well as how decisions, say elections are judged, or say at what point the President is allowed to direct civil functions as well as military, eg. he is subject to approval of the Supreme Leader.
We all would agree they have one hell of a mess on their hands regardless of the outcome. They outdid themselves this time around. The day of reckoning is upon them.
As for some comments in this thread and others regarding the growing fissure between the Supreme Leader and his fellow Mullahs. That is nothing new. But I must admit I am a bit surprised of lately as how a few (and perhaps a lot of of the upper clergy not mentioned) have allowed their opposing views to become publicized so readily.
Maybe the clergy is really starting to come apart in a significant way.
I wonder how soon we shall read about some defecting to Iraq to be protected under Sistani's roof.
What should have world leaders worried is the huge number of hard liner IRGC so entrenched. They have much to lose if things go caput. I could draw I believe reasonable parallels with the Saddamist. No place to go after the fact.
Will we see a similar thing happen in Iran if the biggies go bonzai. Sure Iran is dominated by the Shia, so one could rebut that there would not be a reason for a insurgency to crop up. I do not propose it in the same light as the Sunni verse Shia in Iraq. But a scenario where the IRGC simply refuse to give up their privileged positions and life styles etc..
That is where the Iranian regular military branches would be obliged to step in. Things could get extremely messy. Things could happen as George, Dick and others have hoped would come about. And I for one hope to see happen if blood shed must be a part of the final equation. God have mercy on the innocent people at large who only want peace and prosperity in their land and a hope their government has their needs at heart.
Since I have yapped long enough. Might as throw in one more.
Iran's Abul Aziz al-Hakim, partial founder of the Council for the Islamic Revolution (SCIRI), and the Grand Ayatollah Sistani had the wisdom to stay on the side lines where ever possible. They followed the rules for the most part. Though we can take some exceptions to Hakim's over all performance in the south for the first few years. Any way. Just wanted to suggest your comments should not be taken lightly as to how Iran's clergy made some very bad decisions way back when that now will haunt them. Khameni and Khomeini in essence screwed the pouch.

[Windflier]

== That’s a big assumption. ==

It might be for those who haven’t been following this story.

[DB]

I have.

And it is.

[dervish]

ACORN has obviously been at work in the Iranian election.

[Windflier]

This, a blog from a young Iranian protester, tells what I think is the TRUE story here:

“Amir, Mashhad, aged 23: Please let the world know the people of Iran are using the election and its outcome as an excuse, their real problem is the whole system and the corrupt regime of the Islamic Republic. Anything that happens to us is because of this religion. How can I make you understand, religious beliefs are personal and should not be enforced on the public.”

It’s not about Mousavi. It’s about rooting out the muslim fanatics who have ruined that nation. Whether they will be successful is yet to be determined, but apparently they’re not going to be placated by a “prayer” and threatening words from a dried-up old mullah.