Iran quote that sums up the unrest

"Iran has squandered a huge opportunity to bridge the gulf between the regime and an increasingly sophisticated population thirsting for greater freedom. A vibrant election campaign opened a door. It has been slammed shut." - Iranfocus 24 / 06 / 2009

Ahmadinejad vs Mousavi, Round 5, Fight!

Disputed election protests enter Day 5 today as pro-Mousavi protesters are likely to ring public squares across the country in definace of demonstration bans placed on them by the ruling regime and despite an announcement by the Guidance Council that a partial recount was going to be made (partial?). The unrest, which have been the worst seen since 1979 have gathered steam despite the arrest of dozens of reformers in recent days and the death of a number of protesters. The ruling government has also moved swiftly to block all news reaching the world via the foreign press. Reuters have included the following in all their stories coming out of their Tehran office:

"Reuters coverage is now subject to an Iranian ban on foreign media leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran."

Facebook, Youtube and other similiar social applications have been blocked to limit the damage to the regimes reputation, and so far, this has worked fairly well. I use fairly because despite the block, information has still emerged, grainy images of pro-government militia shooting on students in Isfahan and mobs rioting in reprisal are a few that have emerged. As before, watch this space. There may be more interesting times to come. Revolution? Maybe not just yet...

Iran poll results spark angry protests in Tehran

Iranian presidential election results, which showed a landslide victory for current president, Ahmadinejad, sparked widespread anti-government protests in Tehran on 13 June. Thousands of supporters of presidential candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, flooded the streets of this usually placid city denouncing the result and chanting anti-Ahmadinejad slogans. Clashes between riot police and protesters and between pro- and anti-Ahmadinejad supporters were also reported. Although it is true that Iran has faced serious unrest over economic and social issues in the past the current unrest has the potential to seriously escalate and is the most widespread since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Mousavi for his part has not accepted the result and his continued agitation is likely to further motivate demonstrators. Such unrest would, during the 1980s and early 1990s, have been counted as counter-revolutionary and swiftly crushed; however, with the eyes of the world squarely on Iran, any ontoward acts by the government against the protesters would severely tarnish its international image, at a time when it is trying to align itself as a leader, not only of the Shiite world but also the Arab world. Watch this space.