IRAN

[ analysis ]An Iranian-style intifada seems to be in the making.

At the beginning of the current period of opposition, which started soon after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial reelection, quiet periods of seeming normalcy occurred between what were less frequent demonstrations.

Judging from the events of Ashura, however, the protests now seem to carry the potential to turn into a full-scale civil disobedience campaign, not unlike the first intifada the Palestinians initiated against Israel in 1987. Such an uprising will mean continuous periods of strikes and civil disobedience, as well as more confrontations between members of the public and security forces.

The main factor contributing to the new status quo is the unrelenting policies of the Supreme Leader, which have pitted his philosophy of the Islamic Republic against longstanding Islamic institutions.

This is a battle that Khamenei will find extremely difficult to win. In fact, if developments continue in their current form, they can result in significant changes to the structure of his regime, or more drastically, lead to its total demise.

His decision to allow the Basij to mount an attack on mourners at Ayatollah Montazeri's funeral was one factor leading to the spread of opposition in rural areas, faster and more efficiently than any campaign the reformist camp could have orchestrated. Yes, members of the opposition tried to take advantage of the mayhem, but also many genuine mourners had come to pay homage to a Grand Ayatollah. To Ayatollah Khamenei's forces, they were all the same. To allow attacks against the residents of a holy city where the seeds of the 1979 revolution were planted was not just dead wrong from a religious perspective, it was politically counterproductive as well.

To make matters worst, the very next day, the Supreme Leader's forces attacked mourners attending a ceremony for Montazeri at Isfahan's Seyyed mosque, where inside members of the public were beaten. The Basijis also tried to assault Isfahan's former Friday prayers leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Jalaleddin Taheri, who had arranged the ceremony. However, his supporters protected him.

If the Shah had committed such an affront, one could have attributed it to his brute dictatorial secularism. But for the Supreme Leader of an Islamic Republic to order violence against Islamic institutions means turning against the very establishment that formed the foundation -- or the very DNA -- of the current regime.

In 1987, to Palestinians, Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and the deteriorating political and economic situations there formed the nucleus of the political ideology that legitimized the first intifada.

Khamenei's increasing attacks against the Iranian public, followed by full-scale assaults against mosques and religious members of the community, are creating the nucleus of an ideology that is legitimizing opposition, not just in cities, but throughout Iran.

However, ideology is not enough. To succeed, what is needed is to increase the frequency of opposition to the point where the morale of the regime and its forces are sufficiently eroded and they can no longer afford to carry on with their current policies, or their ability to function.

Here again Ayatollah Khamenei seems to be aiding the opposition. The brutal attack against the mourners at Montazeri's funeral meant that more people were motivated to turn up in the streets on Tasua (the day before Ashura), as well as on Ashura, which happened to fall on the 7th day of Montazeri's passing. In fact, small demonstrations have continued in different places since Montazeri was buried.

Further, on Ashura, his forces killed Seyed Ali Habibi Mousavi Khameneh, the nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi. It's very possible that he happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. However, the Mousavi family might understandably assume that he was targeted for assassination. After all, how is it possible that among thousands upon thousands of demonstrators, he was one of the few shot dead? Was he followed from the beginning by an assassination team? Was he marked for death before he left the house? These are questions that cannot be overlooked.

And now his funeral, as well as the 7th day of his death, will provide other occasions for the opposition to demonstrate. Add to this 15 religious holidays, plus at least five major political ones. Meanwhile, more are expected to be killed or arrested, meaning further mourning congregations and demonstrations. Put all of these dates together and the regime could start facing an unprecedented number of demonstrations.

Things could get much worse if the opposition turns to public strikes. With violence against the public expected to continue unabated and Ahmadinejad's plan to cut subsidies, translating to more economic misery, the regime could add to the attraction of this backbreaking scenario.

More than ever, the future of this regime hinges on Ayatollah Ali Khameni. He can save his regime and keep it in its current form if he learns from his recent mistakes and modifies the way his forces and government reach out to the public. Failure to readjust could turn out to be a very costly mistake.

Copyright © 2009 Tehran Bureau

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Iran Tehran 27 dec 6 dey ashora زخمی شدن یک جوان توسط بسیجی های مزدور

27-12-2009-IRAN-TEHRAN-510

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Ashura Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 a Protestor dies in streets of tehran

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Clashes Basijis filming people

27-12-2009-IRAN-TEHRAN-650

27 Dec 09 Tehran People stop a police car and free protesters from Inside it

Iran-Tehran 27 dec 6dey ashora

TEHRAN: ASHURA 88 Tazahorat Aghaazeh Atashi Bozorgi Dar Vali Asr! DEC 27, 2009

Tehran dec 27- آتش زدن لباس نيروي انتظامي

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Protestors fire police car

Ashura in Tehran [27-Dec-2009] Hafez Bridge

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Street on fire

Basiji headquarter on Fire,27dec سوختن ساختمان بسیج نفت

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran khamenei Pic ripped

Tehran dec 27 -روشن کردن آتش و شعار مرگ بر خامنه ای Death to Khameneie

TEHRAN: ASHURA 88 Tazahorat Dar Vali Asr! DEC 27, 2009

Tehran dec 27-گیر افتادن یک بسیجی به دست مردم

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Hafez Talaghani Protest

Iran-Tehran 27 dec 6dey ashora

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran on People taking over a police station

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Police Car On fire

police car in fire

Tehran dec 27 ashora tasua 6dey درگیری تن به تن با گارد ویژه

Ashura-88 Tehran

تظاهرات عاشورا88 تهران درگیری کشتار حضور خیل عظیم مردم در خیبان ازادی

27-12-2009-IRAN-TEHRAN-520

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Ashura Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Ashura Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Ashura Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Ashura Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Clashes

27-12-2009-IRAN-TEHRAN-310

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Enghelab St ,Death to Dictator Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Enghelab St Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Protest Khamenei Is a Murderer

Iran Ashura 88 تظاهرات منطقه شمران شمال تهران

Sangar bandi dar Tehran 6 Day.سنگر بندی در خیابان های تهران 6 دی 88

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Protest tear gas

عاشورا ساعت 11:20 - خيابان سميه

توپ تانک بسیجی‌ دیگر اثر ندارد

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Ashura Protest

27-12-2009-IRAN-TEHRAN-300

مرگ بر دیکتاتوری ۶ دی خیابان انقلاب نرسیده به میدان فردوسی ...

سه راه طالقانی ابتدا ی خیابان شریعتی

tehran dec 27-تظاهرات در تهران عاشورا-6دی

خیابان بهارستان خامنه ای حیا کن مملکت رو رها کن مرگ بر تو عاشورا

عاشورا - تهران - بهارستان اي رهبر آزاده تجاوزهم ازاده

تیر اندازی در چهارراه کالج در ظهر عاشورا

عاشورا سبز ۶ دی اعتراضات مردم تهران

tehran dec 27-پاره کردن عکس خامنه ای-عاشورا 6دی

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Imam hossein Sq Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Imam Hossein sq Protest

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Imam Hossein Sq Protest

عاشورا 88 / تهران / چهارراه کالج

Iran 27 Dec 09 Tehran Tear Gas & Wild Attack

Tehran,27Dec ما اهل کوفه نیستیم، پشت یزید بایستیم

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Dec. 27, 2009

Reported deaths: 9

Videos posted here.

Ashura Updates

Source: Tehran Bureau

Nurse:

They brought a few of the injured today to the Al Zahra hospital in Isfahan. One man, in his 30s, was so severely beaten that he was unconscious and immediately taken to the resuscitation room. He had sustained multiple rib fractures causing a condition known as flail chest, head trauma (he had a depressed skull fracture) and a broken arm, the doctors said.

Minutes after his arrival, plainclothes agents turned up and ordered hospital officials to immediately transfer the man to the Sadoughi Hospital, which is run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. At first there were some protests because of his critical condition, but hospital staff eventually relented and the IRGC agents took him with them. This man needed immediate surgery. I can only hope that he has received the care he needed. He was registered as a motor vehicle accident victim at this hospital.

As far as I know, there were no reported deaths here.

* * *

Mohammad Sadeghi, Mousavi Facebook administrator, quoting sources in Qom:

Beginning this morning, a group ranging from 50 to 250 people -- the number fluctuated throughout the day -- surrounded the end of two streets, chanting slogans. The streets were cordoned off because one of them led to the office and home of the late Ayatollah Montazeri, and the other to the office and home of Ayatollah Sanei.

Guests and locals were attending ceremonies at these two homes.

Meanwhile, Basijis surrounded Ayatollah Sanei's office and started chanting, "Death to Sanei," "Sanei is an unbeliever," "Sanei is a source of emulation for the British," and "BBC, Sanei, congratulations on your union." One slogan they kept repeating was, "This army that has turned up is for the sake of [out of love for] the Leader," apparently referring to themselves.

Around 3 p.m., the group, which apparently consisted of Basiji and other plainclothes agents, had poured into the street and surrounded Ayatollah Sanei's office, fired tear gas into the mourning ceremony to disperse the gathering.

Again, after Maghreb (evening) prayers, which marked the start of Sham-e Ghariban [a religious dinner ceremony], a group headed to the Assn of Teachers and Researchers of Qom Seminary (mostly reformist) in the Safavieh district. Basijis and other plainclothes agents followed them there surrounding the place and lockinf them in. At some point, they let some out, and arrested others. From 7:45 until 9:30 p.m. there were clashes there.

At 10 p.m. the Basijis left the office and the police closed off the streets around Safavieh and also those leading to Sanei's office to ward off further attacks.

More than 50 people were reportedly arrested in Qom today.

* * *

Sources in Tehran, Jaras:

Seyyed Ali Mousavi, a 35-year-old engineer and a son of Mir Hossein Mousavi's sister, was killed today. He was among the demonstrators at Maydaan-e Enghelab (Revolution Square) when he was shot in the shoulder. He was taken to Ibn-Sina hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Mousavi, his wife, and his sister and his family, and a large crowd were reportedly still at the hospital.

The hospital denied that anyone by that name had been admitted, even as dozens of police and a truckload of Basijis were reportedly guarding the hospital.

Apparently a "large number" of opposition supporters gathered there, and according to Jaras, they have promised to continue protests into the night and over the following days.

The family of Shahid Beheshti has now offered its condolences to the Mousavi family.

Seyed Ali Mousavi's brother was killed during the Iran-Iraq war.

* * *

Male, 22, university student:

"The Conquest of Valiasr Square"

A large throng had convened near Valiasr Square at about 1 pm, which was blockaded by police. Lines of black-clad Special Guards guarded the square. What happened next was something I had never seen.

People broke off slabs from the sidewalk and smashed them to smaller pieces -- they threw these stones at the Guards. The crowd -- a few thousand people, with a few hundred in the front line -- had gone into guerrilla mode. They were fearless and fearsome: not only did not back down but went on the offensive. The sky looked like a hailstorm of stones. The Guards had taken refuge under their shields; for some reason, they did not fire tear gas at us. After about 20 minutes of this, the Guards retreated and left on their bikes. The crowd was elated; we felt we had 'conquered' Valiasr Square.

We poured into the square. The ground was littered with stones and a few broken helmets, like a battlefield. People set a police canister on fire. The atmosphere was very jubilant.

Suddenly, people began yelling "Run! Go!" and a stampede commenced as the crowd began running. I ran up Valiasr Avenue; after ten or so minutes some of us ventured back out to the square to see what had happened.

I saw a distraught crowd gathered around something. Wails of "They killed him!" "Savages!" filled the air, as well as chants of "I will kill whoever kills my brother." Based on what I heard from people, an anti-riot SUV had entered the square, moving at high speed, and ran over several people who were running away, apparently injuring some and killing or severely wounding one person.

I went forward in time to see people carrying a limp body, but I could not tell if he was dead or unconscious, and I don't know if people took him to the hospital or not.

I left soon after that event, at about 2 p.m.

* * *

Correspondent in Tehran (9:15 a.m. Eastern):

Shooting apparently still going on in Azadi. The son of Mir Hossein Mousavi's khahar-zadeh sister, Seyed Ali Habibi Mousavi Khameneh [according to Kalameh website], 35, was among the protestors killed.

The internet lockdown is worse than ever.

9:20 a.m.

Another reported killed after severe baton blows to the head. Shooting still continuing in Azadi Square. Mashhad reportedly is in flames. Riots reported in Isfahan, Shiraz, Arak, Najafabad.

Female, 20s

A riot police van ran over a guy [in Valiasr]... It just ran over him like he was a bug. It's too horrible. I saw it and I'm shaken up real bad [and can't talk about it any more right now].

* * *
Male, 33, engineer:

My friends and I were returning from today's protests at about 2 p.m. We were driving up Valiasr. Traffic was creeping slowly along. At Valiasr Square, we saw a group of Basijis attacking someone on the ground, kicking and beating him with batons. A group of protesters intervened and after a physical scuffle, the guy managed to run away. At that moment, we saw his bloodied face -- with a shock we realized it was our friend R. It was the first time this had happened to any of us. We'd been hit by batons before, but not ganged up on by Basijis. We honked to get his attention and pulled him into the car.

Male, 31, writer

We went at 10:30 a.m. to Villa Street in central Tehran. Anti-riot guards were standing on Hafez Bridge and throwing stones down at honking cars and people. Protesters had set two police motorcycles on fire.

We joined a group of protesters, a thousand or so, and began walking toward Valiasr Square. Religious types were also present. We passed a police station [kalantari] and the police watched us pass by. But as soon as we were past, they fired tear gas into our midst.

At Valiasr and Enghelab, police forces attacked us. We dispersed into nearby alleys. After awhile, we heard cheering and whistling. Venturing back out, we saw that people had managed to overwhelm the police and had captured three of them, disarmed them of shield and baton, and let them go.

At about 12:30, we walked to the intersection of Valiasr and Taleghani streets, where the crowd was very thick. Here, protesters were clashing with anti-riot and police forces -- people were fighting back as well. I saw about a dozen injured protesters and injured policemen.

Further up at Valiasr Square, people had set fire to a police canister on the side of the street.

We then went to Laleh Park. Black smoke was rising from the direction of Karim Khan St. We later found out that police cars had been set on fire.

After 1:30 p.m., the Basij arrived. The violence escalated. They began beating people savagely and firing shots into the air. At that point, we left.

* * *

Male, 25, student:

I was at College Bridge near Amir Kabir University at 11 am. Security forces had closed the street. Tear gas was thrown, but now people know how to fight it: They immediately light fire barricades to dispel the tear gas, and many carry vials of vinegar to sprinkle on kerchiefs which they place over their mouths to counter-effect the tear gas fumes. About 20-30 Basijis standing on the bridge would periodically throw rocks down at people.

* * *

Female, 22, student at Tehran University College of Art:

We drove around central Tehran from noon til 3 pm. Like Qods Day, people had a strong turnout, with Iranians of all walks of life, although in scattered groups rather than a single march. Most wore black and carried green symbols.

Pro-government supporters were also present but in far lesser numbers. They were recognizable because of carrying the Iranian flag, the trademark of Ahmadinejad's election campaign. We did not see any [Ashura] processions on the main streets, only small ones on side alleys.

Traffic was locked on all major streets that were open as well as freeways around central Tehran. There was a great deal of honking in support of pedestrian protesters.

On Valiasr, I saw the ground strewn with stones and shattered glass from bus stations. I later learned that protesters had burned police cars as well.

Black-clad anti-riot guards were out in full force, similar to the summer, as well as Basijis on motorbikes. A few helicopters were circling in the sky. I did not personally see any violence; from what I saw it seemed the security forces were aiming to intimidate people rather than attack them. Friends who had gone on foot, however, had been tear gassed near Enghelab around noon.

Radical slogans I heard today were "Death to Khamenei" and "This is the month of blood/ Yazid will fall."

I think there will be more protests in the evening as it is Sham Qariban tonight. That will probably take place uptown, near Mohseni Square and Mirdamad Blvd., where candlelight vigils are commonly held."

* * *

Sources: eyewitness accounts and BBC Persian

The demonstration route in the capital was slated from Imam Hossein Sq. to Azadi Sq. (east-west), but police had blockaded the middle of the route at Valiasr Sq. People, however, broke through the blockade, and continued the route.

Protests were seen in central Tehran: Azadi, Enqelab, Haft-e Tir, Karim Khan, Valiasr Sq, Imam Hossein Sq, as well as Sattar Khan (south-central) and Baharestan (south-east).

Reports of small protests in other cities: Isfahan, Mashhad, Babol.

Four Reported Killed In Iran Clashes

Source: RFE/RL

Opposition and other unofficial sources claim that at least four protesters have been reported killed as thousands of opposition supporters chanting antigovernment slogans clashed with security forces in central Tehran, although Iranian police dismissed the report and said no deaths had occurred.

The opposition "Rahe Sabz" website reported that three protesters had been shot dead by security forces in the middle of the Iranian capital's central Enghelab Street. A Tehran-based human rights activist told RFE/RL that a fourth protester had died after being hit in the head with truncheon by security forces.

The reports, as well as a YouTube video purporting to show demostrators carrying a gunshot victim, could not be independently verified.

In a report carried by the semiofficial Fars news agency, police denied there had been any deaths.

Eyewitnesses in the capital said the confrontations were continuing.

Iranian authorities have banned foreign journalists from many events and imposed tight strictures on domestic media.

But one witness told Radio Farda by telephone from Tehran that security forces were using tear gas and pepper gas against opposition supporters to try to disperse them from the city center.

She reported "a big crowd of people" at the intersection of Bozorgmehr and Vali Asr streets.

"The [security forces] on motorbikes attacked [the crowd]. I can see about 100 or 150 of them," the witness told Radio Farda. "People have set fire to several garbage cans. They're trying to chant slogans against the leader of the Islamic Republic and the dictatorship."

More photos here and here.

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Press Roundup provides a selected summary of news from the Iranian press, and excerpts where the source is in English. The link to the news organization or blog is provided at the top of each item. Tehran Bureau has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Please refer to the Media Guide to help put the story in perspective.

Eyewitness report: Jamaran Religious Center, North Tehran

Tehran Bureau | Dec. 26, 2009

Male, 23, Tehran University student:

I got to Jamaran Hosseiniyeh at 5 p.m. We were inspected by police officers at the entrance gate and entered the courtyard, but the inside of the religious center was too packed to go in. There were no loudspeakers; we found out that Khatami was speaking only when the crowd began cheering "Greetings to Khatami!" [dorood bar Khatami], at about 6 p.m.

People who had arrived earlier said that busloads of Basijis were dropped off at the Hosseiniyeh at 4 pm. The Basijis began filming the crowd once protesters started chanting slogans. Slogans included the usual "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein" as well as the newly-coined "This is the month of blood, Yazid [the tyrant] will fall" and "We are Hossein's Army, we support Mir Hossein." These more radical slogans were hushed by some in the crowd who feared provoking the Basijis. Pro-government supporters, present in smaller numbers, were also chanting slogans such as "Mashallah Hezbollah!"

I left the Hosseiniyeh at 7p.m. to join a large crowd moving south toward Niavaran (a district in northern Tehran). Yasser Cross was cordoned off; I went through side alleys to get to my car. I drove to Bahonar Street in Niavaran, where I saw the crowd reeling from the effects of tear gas and anti-riot police on motorbikes dispersing protesters with batons."

* * *

Male, 32, scientist:

This morning we decided to venture further south in Tehran -- near the Bazaar -- to see what was going on there. We saw no protests, but the annual Tasua processions [dasteh] were notably tiny, especially for that part of town [which is known to be quite religious].

In the afternoon, we went to the Hosseiniyeh [religious center] in Jamaran. The surrounding streets grew more densely packed by the moment. We chanted slogans there until 7:30 p.m., when suddenly a wave of pressure began pushing us to back out of the Hosseiniyeh. We could not see the clashes; we only felt the physical pressure resulting from clashes somewhere up front.

We backtracked to Yasser Street in Niavaran. It took about half an hour for people to regroup; chanting, we began moving toward Bahonar Street.

At Bahonar we were met with a line of 20-30 plainclothes agents and riot-police bikers. We stopped 100 meters away and continued chanting slogans. They waited for about ten minutes, then attacked. The chase-and-run games began ...

Police were not arresting anyone, as far as I saw. They did not even have the means to make arrests (i.e., vans, etc). It appeared they only intended to beat up and disperse us. And beat up, they did.

Those who had stayed in front of the Hosseiniyeh fared worse. When I went back up there at 9 p.m., protesters had got the full treatment: batons, pepper spray, tasors, clubs.

Throughout the day, mobile access was irregular. Tomorrow, protests are slated to start at 10:00 am.

* * *

Female university professor, 30s:

The internet was problematic again today. I went out in the afternoon, but didn't see anything. At 6 p.m. though, Khatami was supposed to speak at the Jamaran Hosseinyeh. I went there. It was so crowded we had to congregate outside. There was some major slogan-chanting going on, including "Death to Khamenei."

I don't know what had happened that they [regime] didn't have enough people [forces] in place there. A pretty large group amassed and we started marching south from Jamaraan to Niavaran, still chanting. Our numbers swelled along the way. On Niavaran Street, drivers honked excitedly, some even joined us.

We progressed pretty far down Niavaran. Then they laid siege and fired tear gas...

I walked home. I heard later that the crowd had gotten even bigger and that they got beat up pretty badly. I heard [back at Jamaraan], that they turned off Khatami's microphone in the middle of his speech, so he couldn't continue. And I heard they were beating up on anyone who left the Hosseinyeh.

It was pretty chaotic. People were making plans for tomorrow. The new slogan was "Hasti? Hastaam," -- "Are you in? I'm in!"

Khatami's speech

Blog Watch | Dec. 26, 2009

Mohammad Khatami's speech at a Tasua mourning ceremony at Jamaran center Saturday evening in Tehran was abruptly cut off and left unfinished.

The speech was interrupted by angry shouts from pro-government supporters after Khatami said, "Imam Hossein's rebellion arose from his willingness to die for the sake of freedom. He fought against those who wanted to govern society in the name of religion and abolish freedom."

Jamaraan (North Tehran)

Chanting (above): "Rape in prison, this too was in the Qoran?"

Plainclothes raid Imam Khomeini's Hosseiniyeh in Jamaran

Parleman | Salaam | Rahe Sabz | Tabnak | Dec. 26, 2009

Some 50 plainclothes agents attacked mourners at the Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh [religious center] in Jamaran with pepper spray, batons and metal chains.

The group attacked the Jamaran Hosseiniyeh as former president Mohammad Khatami was delivering a speech to a large crown on the occasion of Ashura.

According to one report, a dispute between plainclothes agents and Khatami created tension in the ceremony. People formed a human chain around Khatami to prevent what Tabnak termed as "the others" from reaching Khatami.

The altercation prompted police to step in to disperse the crowd.

The assailants shouted "Heydar, Heydar," (the nickname of the first Shia Imam Ali) and "Abolfazl the flag bearer, protect Khamenei from harm" (Abolfazl is Imam Hussein's younger brother who was killed on Tasua, one day before Ashura), apparently associating themselves with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The assailants broke the windows of the Jamaran Hosseiniyeh.

According to Salaam News, even though all streets leading to Jamaran were under strict police control, plainclothes agents managed to reach the Hosseiniyeh.

In the streets leading to the Jamaran Hosseiniyeh, bikers reportedly attacked people with stones.

Khomeini's grandson Yasser, and Fatemeh and Faezeh Hashemi, daughters of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, were also present at the ceremony.

Jaras reported that after Khatami's interrupted speech, people gathered outside the Jamaran Hosseiniyeh and headed toward Tajrish Square in northern Tehran chanting "death to the dictator."

Security and civil forces attacked protestors with tear gas and batons in an attempt to disperse them. There were other reports of shots being fired into the air.

Tabnak cited an IRNA report claiming that the large crowd of mourners present at Jamaran led a skirmish between civil forces and mourners, resulting in the cancellation of Khatami's speech.

Riot police cracks down on Isfahan protestors; Ayatollah Taheri under siege

Gooya | Dec. 26, 2009

Clashes have been reported in Isfahan, where opposition supporters chanted slogans in support of the Green Movement and the late Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri.

Riot police and plainclothes agents attacked protesters with tear gas and batons. Hakim Nezami, Artesh, Hossein Abad, and Daneshgah streets were the scene of clashes.

The residence of Ayatollah Jalololdin Taheri was reported to be under siege by security forces.

Videos:

Security forces firing shots in the air to disperse crowd

Tasua protests, Enqelab St. Tehran, Dec 26, 2009 تیراندازی هوایی توسط مزدوران 5 دی

Drivers support protesters by honking their horns

Tasua protests, Enqelab St. Tehran, Dec 26, 2009

"Death to the Dictator"

Tasua protests, Enqelab St. Tehran, Dec 26, 2009

"This is the month of blood/ Yazid will be overthrown!"

Tasua protests, Enqelab St. Tehranm Dec 26, 2009

Tasua protests, Enqelab St. Tehran, Dec 26, 2009 تظاهرات خیابان انقلاب 5دی

Tasua protests, Enqelab St. Tehran, Dec 26, 2009 تظاهرات خیابان انقلاب 5دی

Tasua protests, Enqelab St. Tehran, Dec 26 تاسوعای 88 خیابان انقلاب

Tasua protests, Tehran, Dec. 26, 2009

Tasua protests, Tehran, Dec. 26, 2009

Tweets from a reliable source in Tehran:

# In Jamaran [northern Tehran] the police are warning people over the loudspeaker, "if you do not disperse, we have orders to shoot."
# نیروی انتظامی از طریق بلندگو مردم حاضر در خیابان جمران رو تهدید کرده که اگر متفرق نشید دستور شلیک داریم / منبع خودم در جماران

# After firing in the air and throwing tear gas, police told protesters in Jamaran over loudspeakers: "if you do not disperse, we have orders to shoot."
پس از تیراندازیهای هوایی و گاز اشک آور از طریق بلندگو مردم حاضر در جماران رو تهدید می‌کنند که دستور تیر مستقیم دارند

# Basijis have attacked people gathered in front of a mosque [hosseiniyeh] in Jamaran [north Tehran] بسیجیها از داخل حسینیه به بیرون، از خیابان جماران و از خیابان یاسر به مردم جمع شده در بیرون حسینیه حمله کردند

# Before Khatami's speech at the mosque [hosseiniyeh] at Jamaran, Basijis filled the inside of the mosque.
# داخل حسینیه جماران قبل از سخنرانی خاتمی توسط بسیجیها پر شده (مثل مجلس ختم منتظری) و مردم در حال پایین آمدن از نیاوران هستند

# A large crowd has been reported in Jamaran. Plainclothes forces are present but no clashes have been reported yet.
جمعیت در جماران بسیار گزارش شده، بی‌لباسها! حضور دارند ولی هنوز درگیری مشاهده نشده / به نقل از کسی در ۵۰۰ متری حسینیه جماران

# Protesters in Jamaran are chanting "Khamenei is a killer/ his rule is null and void"
مردم در جماران شعار «قاتله باطله» می‌دن و: این لشگر حسینه، یاور میر حسینه / منبع خودم در جماران

# Mohammad Khatami was due to give a speech at 6 pm at Jamaran mosque. The area is seeing large crowds.
به نقل از منبع خودم در ۵۰۰ متری حسینیه جماران که قرار بود ساعت ۶ سخنرانی خاتمی باشه: نیاوران رو با ماشین نمیشه رفت بالاتر به خاطر جمعیت

Tehran clashes reported in Enghelab, Haft-e Tir squares

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Clashes between mourners, police and plainclothes agents in Enghelab, Ferdowsi, Imam Hossein and Haft-e Tir squares in Tehran have been reported by correspondents on the reformist website Jaras.

As the report was being filed, riot police in full gear were headed toward Vali Asr and Enghelab squares from Ferdowsi, suggesting a possible escalation in clashes in Enghelab, the site reported.

Police inspections under way at central Metro stations

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Security officials tried to curb the gathering of protesters on Tasua (the day before Ashura) by monitoring the entrance and exits of all metro stations in central Tehran.

Metro stations at Enghelab, Ferdowsi, Darvazeh Dolat and Imam Hossein were under heavy police surveillance. Officers reportedly inspected the personal belongings of some passengers.

According to Jaras, police officers were mainly targeting passengers wearing green clothing, the color of the opposition.

Any passenger objection to police inspection of their possessions was not being tolerated, and officers reportedly confiscated a number of passenger cell phones, the reformist website reported.

Riot police raid ISNA building

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Riot police clashed with protesters in Tehran since the early hours of the morning and raided the offices of the Islamic Student News Agency (ISNA), a reformist website reported.

As protesters fled police and sought refuge in homes located around Enghelab Square, riot guards raided the ISNA building and assaulted protesters hiding in the news agency's courtyard with batons and metal chains.

ISNA: Protesters chased by riot police

Tabnak | Dec. 26, 2009

ISNA released a statement in response to a report carried by various websites about a police assault on a number of protesters hiding in the news agency's courtyard.

"Around noon at Enqelab Square, riot police chased a group of slogan-chanting [protesters]. The group charged toward the staff entrance of ISNA. Despite repeated warnings by security, they entered the courtyard, which led to police who were pursuing them to enter the premises too. An ISNA reporter was injured in the process," the statement said.

Police crack down on protesting drivers between Imam Hussein, Azadi

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Police assaulted drivers who honked their horns to protest the stagnant traffic between Azadi and Imam Hossein squares, the reformist website Jaras reported Saturday.

According to Jaras, police officers were seen striking the sides of cars with their batons, tearing off license plates, and in some cases dragging drivers out of cars and assaulting them.

According to eyewitnesses, in other instances plainclothes agents approached cars and ripped off the plates before drivers could stop them.

Report: Riot police fires tear gas in Imam Hossein square

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Police clashed with mourners in Tehran's Imam Hossein Square on Saturday, which marks Tasua, the day before Ashura, in the Shia holy month of Moharram.

Aside from attacking mourners with batons, riot police fired tear gas into the crowd to disperse protesters, according to reports on reformist websites.

Riot police clash with mourners in Pole Choubi

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Reformist websites reported ongoing clashes between protesters and riot police in Tehran's Pol-e Choubi district Saturday morning.

Heavy police presence in central Tehran

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Hundreds of riot police officers have been stationed in streets across central Tehran from the early hours of Saturday morning, on the Shia mourning day of Tasua.

According to the reformist website Jaras, riot police and officers from the Jami 129 and Enqelab 148 precincts were stationed along Azadi Street from the corner of Navab Safavi and Enqelab Square since 9 am Saturday.

Clashes erupt in Tehran

France 24 | Dec. 26, 2009

A reformist website said Iranian riot police fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters in Tehran who used a religious commemoration on Saturday to try to revive anti-government protests in the Islamic Republic.
 
"Well-equipped security forces are clashing violently with backers of the opposition in many parts of downtown Tehran," the opposition Jaras website said.
 
The report could not be independently confirmed, as foreign media have been banned from covering protests.
 
If confirmed, the outbreak of clashes between security forces and the opposition during a two-day major Shi'ite ritual would underline escalating tension in Iran, six months after a disputed election plunged the major oil producer into turmoil.
 
Iranian police have warned the pro-reform opposition against staging any new demonstrations during Tasoua and Ashura on Dec 26-27, when Shi'ite Muslims mark the 7th century martyrdom of a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.
 
"Police are firing tear gas to disperse a huge crowd in Imam Hossein square ... but people are resisting and chanting slogans against the government," Jaras said.
 
It earlier said security forces "fiercely" confronted opposition backers in different parts of the capital.

A witness said opposition supporters had gathered in groups along a several kilometres long stretch of a main downtown street. "Police aren't letting them join each other," she said.

Police arrest 10 in Tasoua protests

HRA | Dec. 26, 2009

In the crackdown on Imam Hossein mourners, at least 10 people were arrested by riot police in Tehran on Saturday.

Police assaulted mourners trying to make their way to Enqelab Square. Even cars driving on the street were damaged by police officers.

Police fired tear gas at protesters attempting to disperse mourners who were moving in groups of 500 and 1,000, arresting 10 people in the process.

Plainclothes agents dressed in black [as a sign of mourning] were spotted around Tehran University but did not participate in the attacks.

Reports suggested that protests were in full swing in Imam Hossein Square, Pole Choubi, Ferdowsi Sqaure, Hafiz Bridge, Navab Junction, Felestine Junction, Vali Asr Square, Enqelab Square, Kargar Street, Keshavarz Boulevard, and Taleqani Street.

Mourning protesters chanted slogans such as "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein," "Khamenei has become Yazid [the tyrant], he makes Yazid look innocent," "This is the month of blood, Seyyed Ali [Khamenei] will fall," and " O Mahdi [the Hidden Imam or messiah], root out oppression."

Imam Mausoleum not to host Ashura ceremonies

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

While it is an annual custom for the Imam Khomeini mausoleum to host mourning ceremonies on Tasua and Ashura (the ninth and tenth days of the Shia holy month of Moharram), no ceremonies have been announced publicly this year.

Caretakers at the Mausoleum issued a bulletin saying that owing to limited space due to renovations, only a few heyats (organized groups of mourners) would be hosted there this year.

According to Asr Iran, the bulletin was published in the hardliner daily Kayhan and did not note any scheduled speeches or ceremonies.

Ashura ceremonies were held last year at the mausoleum with many guest speakers, including reformist cleric Mehdi Karroubi.

It should be noted that this past Ramadan was the first time since the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran's revolution, that his mausoleum did not host Ramadan ceremonies.

Police ordered to use minimal violence against protestors

Press TV | Dec. 26, 2009

Iran's police chief said "using the least violence" was a central plank of their policy in dealing with protestors.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam said Iranian police officers had received orders to use minimum violence in dealing with protestors.

"However, when damage is caused and riots are sparked as a result of such protests [the police] will take serious measures," he said.

Ayatollah Taheri rejects issuing statement

Tabnak | Dec. 26, 2009

Former Isfahan Friday Prayers leader Ayatollah Jalaleldin Taheri's office rejected claims of organizing a seventh-day memorial ceremony for the late Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri in Isfahan.

According to the statement carried by ILNA, Ayatollah Taheri's office said it scheduled an Ashura ceremony in the grand mosque of the town of Hossein-Abad, Isfahan and that "other ceremonies announced for Tasua and Ashuhra in Isfahan are in no way related to Ayatollah Taheri."

Earlier a number of websites had published a statement in the name of Ayatollah Taheri calling people to four ceremonies organized by the senior cleric in Isfahan on the holy days of Tasua and Ashura.

Khomeini's grandson sits alongside Supreme Leader, Hardliners

Ayandeh | Dec. 25, 2009

Ayandeh, a news site affiliated with the Tehran mayor, reported that Seyyed Hassan Khomeini attended a mourning ceremony for the Shia holiday of Tasua Friday night at the Beyt Rahbari, the seat of the Supreme Leader.

The grandson of Ayatollah Khomeini, founder of Iran's revolution, was seated beside Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Jannati, and Hojatoleslam Nateq Nouri.

Larijani's forgiveness may secure Nourizad release

Rahe Sabz | Dec. 26, 2009

Mohammad Nourizad, who was arrested for insulting judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani, may be released after Larijani said he would not press charges.

A source close to the Judiciary told Ayandeh news that while insulting the head of any of the three branches of the government was a punishable offense, it was up to the injured party to file suit against the offender.

It should be noted that a few weeks ago a number of websites including Ayandeh were prosecuted by the Tehran prosecutor for insulting Iranian authorities.

British newspaper names Iranian protester 'person of the year'

VOA | Dec. 26, 2009

The British newspaper the Times has named an Iranian woman who was killed during Iran's post-election unrest its "person of the year."



The Times said Saturday Neda Agha-Soltan has became the global symbol of the Islamic "regime's brutality, and of the remarkable courage of Iran's opposition in a region where other populations are all too easily suppressed by despotic governments." 



Billboard: We await Moharam, when it will be a time for trial, it will be our blades and your throats if even one hair on Ali's (Khamenei) head is lost.

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Biggest student gathering of recent months in Tehran

Asr Iran | Dec. 25, 2009

Students staged a protest Friday in Tehran upon the return of Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani from his tour of Egypt, state-affiliated news agencies reported.

According to one report, students from the universities of Tehran, Sharif, Khajeh Nasir, Imam Sadeq, Elm-o Sanat and Payam Nour gathered and chanted slogans such as "death to America," "death to Israel," "Khomeini you be our witness, we protested," "death to Americanized Islam," and "death to the compromiser."

This is while photos released of the gathering suggest that the organizers of the event did not participate in it themselves.

Meanwhile, members of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission had earlier said that Larijani's trip to Egypt was a decision made by the government.

It remains to be seen whether the organizers of the event will be prosecuted for arranging a gathering without a permit and for insulting the parliament speaker.

U.S.-funded radio reports protest in Tehran

Khabar Online | Dec. 25, 2009

The US-funded RFERL Farsi service Radio Farda reported that a memorial service held for Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in Tehran's Toopkhaneh Square turned violent after security and plainclothes officers attacked mourners.

According to the Radio Farda report, bikers attacked mourners with batons and pepper spray and gradually surrounded the square.

No independent source has confirmed this report.

Rouydad News | Dec. 25, 2009

An informed source told Rouydad News that Iran's Intelligence Ministry, in cooperation with paramilitary groups affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, is planning to mount an operation called "Second Ashura" to attack opposition protesters during Ashura, Dec. 28.

The plan calls for these groups to infiltrate opposition crowds while posturing as fellow supporters.

IRGC blocks Ayatollah Montazeri website

Norooz | Dec. 25, 2009

Less than 24 hours after the burial of Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, his website was blocked by the cyber division of the IRGC.

According to JARAS, the website, which was blocked by the IRGC on Tuesday, contained a collection of Ayatollah Montazeri's books, statements, sermons and religious decrees.

Larijani to attend Ashura ceremonies in Qom

Asr Iran | Dec. 25, 2009

Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani traveled to Qom to attend ceremonies for the holy day of Ashura in the city he represents in parliament.

According to ISNA, Larijani will attend ceremonies held by Ayatollahs Lotfollah Safi-Golpayegani, Nasser Makarem-Shirazi, Hossein Vahid-Khorasani, Hossein Nouri-Hamedani, Abdolkarim Mousavi Ardebili, and Seyyed Hassan Taheri Khoramabadi.

WSJ | Dec. 25, 2009

Iran said Turkey could be a venue for Tehran to exchange nuclear material with the West, the latest in several counteroffers by the Persian nation.

The counteroffers have frustrated U.S. demands that Iran directly accept a key U.N.-drafted deal. The deal aims to ease concerns Tehran could build a nuclear weapon by removing most of Iran's low-enriched uranium from the country.

Iran "does not have a problem with Turkish soil" as the location for an exchange of enriched uranium for nuclear fuel, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told state TV late Thursday.

In Turkey, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu welcomed the Iranian announcement and said his government is ready to do its best to help reach a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

Iran: Bin Laden girl's identity uncomfirmed

Press TV | Dec. 25, 2009

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says the woman said to be Osama Bin Laden's daughter can leave the country providing that her identity is confirmed.

Speaking to IRIB on Thursday, Mottaki answered questions about recent media reports that Osama Bin Laden's daughter was at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran.

He said that the Iranian Foreign Ministry was earlier informed by the Saudi Embassy in Tehran that a woman that they claimed to be Osama Bin Laden's daughter was at the Embassy.

"A while ago, the Saudi Embassy said that one of Bin Laden's daughters was at the Embassy. [So] the Foreign Ministry told the Saudi Embassy that under [international] conventions, if her identity is confirmed the person could leave Iran with travel documents."

"Her identity has not been confirmed for us but the Saudi Embassy has admitted [that she is Bin Laden's daughter]," he added.

Press Roundup provides a selected summary of news from the Iranian press, and excerpts where the source is in English. The link to the news organization or blog is provided at the top of each item. Tehran Bureau has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Please refer to the Media Guide to help put the story in perspective.

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Episode 12 – Radio Arazel – june 28 2009

- Track Listing -

1. Yare Dabestani Man – Mansour Tehrani
2. Biyaa – Abjeez Featuring Congo Man Crew
3. Viva La Resistance – Hypernova
4. Dastane Ma – Mirza
5. Prayer For a Rainbow – IO
6. Open The Door – Rana Farhan
7. Autotomy – The Plastic Wave
8. Baba Koo – Shaya
9. Farghe Adama – Emziper
10. Ali Koochooloo – Foad
11. Hoviyate Man – Yas
12. Haghighate Talkh – Sorkh-Jamegan
13. Azab-Haye Pambeh – 127Band
14. Hastee – Haale
15. Sokoot – Hossein Panahi
16. Come Beloved – Beenteha
17. Bonus  Track

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Episode 11 – Radio Arazel – may 31 2009

- Track Listing -

1. The Red Snake - IO
2. Man Be May Nub - Beenteha
3. I’m Drunk your Mad – Rana Farhan
4. Unnamed - ParsBass & Sara Naini
5. Song of Exile – Niyaz
6. Enghelabe Fekri – Foad Minority
7. Aziz Joon - Bax TM Ft. Farinaz
8. Tir o Kaman - Jadugaran
9. Nafas Nakesh - Shaya
10. Rumi - Sogand
11. Vaghti Ke - Abjeez
12. ChouChou Love - Ballgard
13. Khosro Khooban – 127Band
14. Sinners – Hypernova
15. On The Lash - Landlord
16. Entezar – Quiet Boom
17. Dastane Ma – Mirza
18. Ey Dad az Eshgh - Kiosk

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Episode 10 – Radio Arazel – may 24 2009

- Track Listing -

1. Wind - Bijan Moosavi
2. My Work - Rana Farhan
3. Barab Barab - Abjeez
4. Marde Jadvali - Ballgard
5. Red Hats - Take it Easy Hospital
6. Yeki Bood, Yeki Nabood – Sarakhs
7. Baziche - Control
8. I Shout love - Soul Nidus
9. Be Name Zan - Farinaz
10. Love Is Gone - Emet & Betis
11. Harkasi - Tapesh 2012
12. Tasavor - Jadugaran
13. Bamdad - Shahin Najafi
14. Darde Eshghe - O-Hum
15. SelfBorn - Natch
16. Chenan Mastam - Haale
17. Ten Bells – Esfand
18. Varagh Bezan – Hack

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Episode 9 – Radio Arazel – may 17 2009

- Track Listing -

1. Ostekhoon - 127 Band
2. Mirim o Mirim - Ballgard
3. Achin Wachin - Tapesh 2012
4. Galliver - Mirza
5. Ma - Hack
6. Morning - The Plastic Wave
7. Hastee - Haale
8. Vaghti Ke – Abjeez
9. Allahi Allah – Niyaz (Carmen Rizzo rmx)
10. Deflect Alt - Leila Arab Ft. Martina
11. O-Hum vs. The11 – The11
12. Yarom Bia – Kiosk
13. Mind East Version – Pesare Bad
14. Moghadame - Changeez O Taymoor
15. Hamine Ke Hasti - Xaniar Ft. Quf
16. Khale Zanak Bazi - Sogand
17. Drunk With Love – Rana Farhan

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Episode 8 – Radio Arazel – may 10 2009

- Track Listing -

1. Human Jungle – Take it Easy Hospital
2. Fereshteye Man – Control
3. Meena - The Untitled
4. Love Headache – Jasmin Tabatabai
5. Kuzeh - Dash
6. Watcha Gonna Do About It - Nosheen
7. Yaa Rab - Jadugaran
8. Jaadeh - Erfan Ft. Khashayar
9. Inja Irane - Bahram
10. GoojyMoojy - Foad
11. Shomare Nemidi – Tanbe10 Ft. Sogand
12. My Clothes on Other Bodies - The Plastic Wave
13. Worth It - Negin
14. Mister Fox – Bijan Moosavi
15. Fasle Darya - Hatef
16. Kojaii Mehraboonam – Siavash

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