World Threats

Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL) and Rep. Theodore Deutch (D-FL) deserve to hear your gratitude after proposing a bill to support the Iranian opposition and sanction any company selling items used in suppressing dissent to the Iranian regime, such as batons, water cannons, sniper rifles, Internet filtering technology and communications monitoring equipment.

It also creates a “special representative on human rights and democracy in Iran,” reauthorizes the Iran Freedom and Support Act and requires a “comprehensive strategy to promote Internet freedom in Iran.”

Senator Kirk gets it. He said, “We need to apply the lessons of the Cold War to the 21^st century threat posed by the Iranian regime.” He also announced the creation of the Iranian Dissident Awareness Program so lawmakers can “advocate on behalf of individual Iranian dissidents.”

“Our goal is to put faces with names – to tell the stories of the persecuted, the dissidents, the political prisoners,” Senator Kirk said. “In the darkest days of Soviet human rights abuse, the odds looked long but the dignity of individuals and cause of liberty prevailed. We should bring this same resolve to our dealings with Iran.”

This is the type of leadership we need!

This from the UK Guardian.

Close allies of Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have been accused of using supernatural powers to further his policies amid an increasingly bitter power struggle between him and the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Several people said to be close to the president and his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, have been arrested in recent days and charged with being “magicians” and invoking djinns (spirits). Ayandeh, an Iranian news website, described one of the arrested men, Abbas Ghaffari, as “a man with special skills in metaphysics and connections with the unknown worlds”. The arrests come amid a growing rift between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei which has prompted several MPs to call for the president to be impeached.
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Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi (AKA the crocodile), a hardline cleric close to Khamenei, warned that disobeying the supreme leader – who has the ultimate power in Iran – is equivalent to “apostasy from God”.
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But the feud has taken a metaphysical turn following the release of an Iranian documentary (The Coming is Upon Us) alleging the imminent return of the Hidden Imam Mahdi – the revered saviour of Shia Islam, whose reappearance is anticipated by believers in a manner comparable to that with which Christian fundamentalists anticipate the second coming of Jesus. Conservative clerics, who say that the Mahdi’s return cannot be predicted, have accused a “deviant current” within the president’s inner circle, including Mashaei, of being responsible for the film. (Edited for space.)

Please read the entire article for more important information.

Analysis. This is a little like locking the barn door after the horse is out. Mesbah Yazdi is one of the prime movers, if not the leader, of the “bring back the Mahdi” group. He is undoubtedly the spiritual guide of that faction and definitely Ahmadinejad’s spiritual guide.. My prior posts have covered The Coming is Upon Us in some detail.

This minor tiff does not presage any reduction in Iran’s attempts to undermine Sunni governments who rule majority Shiite populations or, indeed, the House of Saud itself.  With the assault on bin Laden’s compound fresh in everybody’s mind in the area, Iran might even reach out to Pakistan as another country that has felt the effects of US “imperialism.” Both Pakistan and Iran have much to gain from causing the US no end of trouble in Afghanistan. Iran might even solicit Pakistan’s help with their nuclear weapons program. At this moment, Pakistan is probably not upset enough at the US to help Iran with its nuclear weapons program. Iran may be more interested in disrupting the Saudi-Pakistani nuclear weapons agreements.

Then again, this may all be a smokescreen. There is evidence that Ali Khamenei does not like Mashaei. Why not take this relatively minor disagreement and blow it out of proportion to camouflage the continuing press to set the scene for the attempt to bring forth the Mahdi? This must also be put in context of the destruction of Ashraf and the murder of many members of the People’s Mujhadeen of Iran by Iraqi forces. In addition, it appears that Muqtada al-Sadr is making numerous trips from Qom to an-Najaf and Karbala. Is he coordinating the takeover of the Imam Ali and Imam Hussein mosques by militias loyal to the idea of the return of the Mahdi? We may know shortly after the furor over the killing of Osama bin Laden dies down.

The U.S. has just been given the best opportunity to undermine the Iranian regime since the 2009 protests delivered one on a silver platter. The regime was too fearful of the rage of its people to arrest Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi until last month and they remain under strict house arrest, unable to communicate even with family members. This is a golden opportunity for the U.S. to lead the international community in galvanizing the opposition by bringing attention to the protests planned for every Tuesday until they are released.

The fall of Tunisian President Ben Ali, whose rule showed no noticeable sign of impending doom, was triggered by a single self-immolation by a man named Mohamed Bouazizi. The overthrow of Egyptian President Mubarak began immediately thereafter, starting with protests of only dozens of people. Unrest quickly spread throughout the region in countries that had seen nothing like the 2009 protests in Iran. On February 14, thousands of Iranians demonstrated in the streets throughout the country in the biggest protests since 2009.

Shortly thereafter, the regime isolated Mousavi and Karroubi from the outside world and they were reportedly detained sometime during the following week. Some outlets have retracted the reports that they were transferred to a prison, though neighbors claim to have seen Karroubi taken out of his home and his sons have said they entered his empty home. Whatever the case may be, the regime’s delicate handling of the matter shows it understands its potential to become their own “Mohamed Bouazizi” moment. Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi says it is inevitable that an uprising will happen in Iran, saying: “With the slightest breeze, there could be a conflagration.”

Click here to read the rest of my PJM article.

These from our friends in Iran.

Tehran – On the eve of Feast of Fire day the struggling youths of Iran torched ominous pictures of Khamenei and Khomeini in Haghshenas Sqare near Javadieh in Tehran by throwing firecrackers at them. They also torched Khamenei’s scarecrow.

Tehran – Despite all threats and bans of clerical dictatorship people are vastly buying Feast of Fire utensils such as firecrackers, hand-made grenades and etc and are getting ready for the night in Tehran. This has aroused fear amongst regime’s suppressive forces. Regime’s measures in regard with strangling the uprising of Feast of Fire before it begins, is defeated.

Tehran – The pupils of region 6 tore regime’s statements posted at their schools against Feast of Fire. These statements said that the feast was not approved by Islam (read regime’s mullahs) and was banned. In some schools the brave teachers didn’t allow these statements to be posted.

Tehran. Protesters gathered in Sadeqieh and they clashed with security forces several times. A number of people were also arrested and thrown in busses.

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These from our friends in Iran.

Tehran- March 13, 2011. There is only a few days left to Feast of Fire and the flaming uprising of Iranians against the clerical dictatorship. Having a glance on regime’s reactions to this day one can see who much it is afraid of the coming uprising. Despite former years that the criminal Friday Imams dedicated their last speech before Feast of Fire to provoke fear and horror amongst youths in that regard, in the last Friday Prayer of Tehran and other cities there was no sign of such warnings. This is in regard with what Ahmadi Moghadam the head of SSF pointed to last week in regime’s TV and said that they had reached this conclusion that any kind of propaganda against Feast of Fire will have negative result. This is admitting to the fact that regime has really reached a dead-end in regard with the uprisings. But still regime’s media has aghast reactions:

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Shirin Ebadi, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, has now stated that a revolt like that in Tunisia is likely in Iran. Ebadi has become famous defending Iranian opposition leaders.  Ebadi sees any potential uprising as more like those in Egypt and Tunisia rather than the bloody fighting in Libya.

“With the slightest breeze, there could be a conflagration,” she told a news conference on the fringes of a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, at which Western countries want an investigation into Iran to be set up.

“As to what will spark that fire and when, it is difficult to predict. But I can say with certainty that it won’t be long in coming,” she said.

If there was a sustained rebellion against the Islamic Republic, it would certainly not be bloodless. 2009′s peaceful protests were met with live bullets and truncheons, and a violent uprising would likely lead to the Mullahs crushing it with force as the White House frets but does not act.

These from our friends in Iran.

Rasht-March 7, 2011. Residents of Rasht held a nightly protest on the eve of March 8, the Global Women Day. The protesting cry of Allah O Akbar filled Golsar region in Rasht.

Tehran- March 8, 2011. Most of the members of students’ association in Azad Shargh University are arrested.

Boushehr- March 7, 2011. At 1400 of Monday March 7 more than 200 students of Boushehr Azad University gathered in protest in front of the university’s entrance.

Tehran- March 7, 2011. Students of Power and Computer Departments of Tehran University went on strike and sanctioned the classes in protest to the recent detentions at the university.

Shahrood- March 7, 2011. Students of Shahrood University continued their protest which was started on Sunday against the rise in price of university’s food and gathered in protest in front of the dining hall of the university on Monday March 7.

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These from our friends in Iran.

Tehran- March 6, 2011. As Mardomsalari Daily reported that regime intends to hold a 100,000 men strong maneuver in fear of another uprising on Feast of Fire. Mohammad Taghi Asar the deputy of NAJA’s Training and Education (NAJA= Disciplinary Forces of Islamic Republic) said amongst the regime’s reporters: “this 100,000 men strong maneuver of self-defense will be held for one day throughout the country. The goal is to show the capability and readiness of SSF”. He added: “our police force is armed and can shoot in all scenes”.

Kermanshah- March 6, 2011. In fear of an uprising in Feast of Fire Jomhori state-run daily cited one of the heads of regime in Kermanshah, Habibollah Jahanfar: “after we were informed that a great number of igneous material were stored, in a sudden raid 400 illegal igneous material was discovered and confiscated and the place was sealed”. He added: “In line with the plan for confronting distribution of igneous material, during last 24 hours 34 more places were inspected and their goods confiscated. In that regard 23 more units were sealed”.

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These from our friends in Iran.”

Tehran-March 5, 2011. Security forces raided residential homes in the Zafaranieh and Fereshteh regions in Tehran and rounded up and destroyed satellite equipment. Before this, the head of the SSF had said that ‘the law will follow the ban on satellite equipment and those who openly use satellite equipment will be put in the priority of persecution’.

Tehran-March 5, 2011. State-run News Network reported on March 3 that in light of the fact that the last Wednesday of the year (Feast of Fire) is near, to prevent bitter and terrible accidents, security forces in Tehran, Bushehr, Chahar Mahale Bakhtiari, Khorasan, Zanjan, Semnan, Fasr, Qazvin, KUrdsitan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Lorestan, Mazandar, Markazi, Hamedan, and East and West Azarbaijan, arrested 65 people on charges of distributing flammable materials in 18 operations after identifying the locations where flammable materials are sold and searching automobiles. These forces also discovered more than 3 million kinds of (firecrackers).

Tehran- March 6, 2011. Mothers of Uprising issued a statement calling on Iranians to hold another uprising on March 8, the Global Women’s Day.

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These from our friends in Iran.

Kermanshah- March 5, 2011. The head of the Kermanshah State Security Forces said, “Those who disrupt the peace in any way on the last Wednesday of the (Persian) year (Feast of Fire), will be the guest of the judiciary and security forces until the end of the holidays”. “People will be prevented from gathering in specific locations on this day”, he threatened.

Tehran- March.4, 2011. Kayhan daily wrote on March 2: “when it was accepted by 50 members of Assembly of Experts the Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani be a candidate for the head of the assembly it seems that the current head (Rafsanjani) will not make himself a candidate for the new term”. Mullah Mesbah Moghadam regime’s MP said amongst state-reporters: “in my opinion there will be no real competition because there is no competitor for Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani and Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani will not candidate himself for the post”.

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These from our friends in Iran.

Tehran-March 2, 2011. With the announcement that Mahdavi Kani was a candidate for the head of the Assembly of Experts, a new step was taken towards ousting Rafsanjani as the head of the Assembly. According to the Mehr News Agency on February 28, the head of Mahdavi Kani’s office said, “According to the invitation of about 60 representatives of the Assembly of Experts and his request to take part in the elections as the head of the Assembly, Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani has given a positive answer to this request and intends to become a candidate for its presidency”.

Tehran-March 2, 2011. Less than 10 days before elections for the presidency of the Assembly of Experts, three pro-Khamenei members of this institution, stressed on the decisive removal of Rafsanjani as the head of the assembly. Namazi, one of the Assembly members said that ‘the majority of the representatives were in agreement that Rafsanjani should be removed’. He also rejected rumors that Khamenei had told Rafsanjani to become a candidate for the presidency of the Assembly and said, “Mahdavi Kani, Mesbah Yazdi, Mohammad Yazdi and Janati are three probable candidates for the future elections”. Another Assembly member, Mamdohi, also said in similar statements that ‘I have news from various sources that Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani will probably be a candidate for the presidency of the Assembly of Experts”. Qare Baghi also said, “Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani definitely has serious competition”.

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These from our friends in Iran. All dates are March 1, 2011 Tehran time.

Tehran 9pm. There are large crowds between Imam Hossein and Enqelab and the gatherings are still in progress. At about 8 pm it was also very crowded in the northern side of Kargar Street.

Tehran 8:30 pm. The crowds are still large in Hafte Tir Square, Enqelab Square, Imam Hossein Square and College and Azadi Square and there are security forces on the scene. They have attacked and beat the protesters.

Tehran. In Enqelab Square and Azadi Street, young protesters are fighting against security forces with fire crackers and security forces answer back with tear gas.

Tehran. A large number of people were gathered in Enqelab Square and Karim Khan Street and Enqelab Street and other locations who chanted death to dictator. Security forces tried to disperse the crowds but the protesters were resistant. There are still clashes and hit and runs between security forces and protesters around Enqelab Square. Security forces are using tear gas. Protesters also clashed with security forces in 25 Shahrivar Street which is still in progress. The protesters are forcing security forces to retreat and they are fighting back.

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These from our friends in Iran. All are dated March 1, 2011.

Tehran. The atmosphere is very volatile in Valiasr Square and street and Enqelab Street and security forces and riot police are stationed all along the streets and intersections. The crowds are growing and waiting for the demos to start.

Tehran. Around Mostafa Khomeini Hospital close to Palestine Square people have gathered and a great number of people are present.

Tehran. The protesting crowd is chanting ‘death to dictator’ from Enghelab till Ferdosi.

Bushehr. Students gathered in protests to the fact that they are body searched in the university and the fact that their cafeteria was moved to outside of university grounds.

Tehran. Cars that look like bulldozers have been stationed in Enqelab Square. Motorists are getting on the nerves of Special Guards Forces because of they constantly honk their horns.

Tehran. Professors and students of Tehran University’s School of Electronics, Mechanics and Mines have canceled their classes.

Yazd. Students gathered in the cafeteria in the Yazd University to mark March 1 at 9:30 am and took their pr

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These from our friends in Iran.

Tehran- March 1, 2011. 59 political prisoners in ward 4, the security ward of Gohardasht (Rajaee Shahr) Prison went on unlimited hunger strike in protest against the suppression of the righteous struggle of people of Iran and impose of limitations inside the prison since Tuesday morning March 1.

Tehran – March 1, 2011. Protesters gathered in Vanak Square and chanted death to dictator before dispersing.

Tehran. The chants of Allah O Akbar and death to dictator can be heard in Motahari Street.

Tehran 4:40 pm. Resalat Street is very volatile. Bassij forces have a heavy presence and protesters have blocked their path and are chanting death to dictator.

Tehran 3 pm. Bassij forces and riot police have been stationed outside of the Sharif University and Azadi Square. These forces have also been stationed in Imam Hossein Street and Damavand Street.

Karaj. Bassij forces and plainclothes agents have been stationed in the Shahrdari Blvd. and are on full alert.

Tehran- Feb.28, 2011. Brave anti-regime students at Allameh Tabatabaie University torched the bulletin board belonging to Bassiji students on Sunday Feb. 27.

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These from our friends in Iran.

Tehran- Feb.23, 2011. A commander of SSF, Alireza Akbar Shahi said: “from today (Feb.23) 150 motorbike units will become active throughout Tehran and Alborz Provinces covering bazaars and business centers. Tabnak site emphasized: “motorbikes have power and movement needed to pursue the criminals”

!Tehran- Feb.26, 2011. On Thursday Feb. 24 units of Especial Guards Forces from IRGC, security forces and Plainclothes were stationed all of a sudden in different regions of Tehran imposing an unannounced curfew. Eyewitnesses said that a new anti-riot unit which has not been seen during the 20 months of uprising, with new uniforms and equipments were stationed in the city. A new group of Bassijies with new uniforms were also deployed throughout the city. They controlled all come and goes and if more than three people were gathered together they dispersed them or if they were suspicious about some one immediately they arrested him/her and took him/her away into the vans that were stationed near by.
If people wanted to stand in the streets they made them move and used batons for that. They have also asked all the shopkeepers of the region around the City Theater to close and leave. This deployment was denser around TV & Radio station, Vanak and Vali-e-Asr Squares.

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