The Bastions of the Paramilitary
Hossein Sajedi, Tehran’s police chief, said yesterday that despite the fact that “some media” (read: Mousavi and Karroubi) have called for rallies on June 12, Iranian security forces will confront any “illegal” demonstrations. “Police will confront any illegal gatherings … police are vigilant and in charge of public order and security,” he said. My question […]
The Starvation of Iranian Art
World-renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, famous for his 2006 film Offside, has been engaged in a hunger strike in Tehran’s Evin Prison since Sunday. Tahere Saeidi, the filmmaker’s wife, told the Rahesabz website that Panahi told her on the phone that he will continue his protest until he is allowed to see his family, meet […]
“My Thoughts Turn to Them”
A deal has been reached between Iran, Turkey, and Brazil, in which Iran has agreed to ship most of its enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for nuclear fuel rods to power a medical research reactor. Deprived of the uranium, Iran cannot process it to the higher levels needed for weapons production. In addition, the […]
Executions Meant to Be a “Warning,” Spark Protests Instead
Protests took place in Tehran and major cities around the world including Frankfurt, London, Vienna, Toronto, Koln, and Paris, among many others, on May 9 and May 10, 2010 after the execution of five political prisoners in Iran’s Evin Prison. The Tehran protests included chants of “Freedom,” and “Basiji get out of here,” and “Students […]
Who is Mousavi Challenging in His New Statement?
Mir Hossein Mousavi issued a statement just a few days ago calling for the implementation of each and every article of the Iranian constitution. According to Mousavi, the full implementation of the law is the only peaceful solution to the existing crisis in Iran, and he commits to this path forward. His English translated statement […]
Changing Course on Iran Sanctions
This post appeared in today’s The Hill newspaper. New sanctions on Iran are about the surest bet in Washington these days. Both the House and the Senate have passed a “crippling” gasoline embargo, and the administration has all but given up talk of negotiations in favor of pressing for UN Security Council sanctions “that bite.” In […]
Let’s Talk About Sanctions for a Moment.
For as much focus as there is on Iran sanctions, it’s a shame there isn’t a better debate going on. Congress is preparing to negotiate a final version of the petroleum embargo that passed both houses with overwhelming majorities a few months ago. (Quick refresher on Congressional proceedings: The House and Senate both passed a […]
So Iran wants to be on the UN Human Rights Council… (VIDEO)
[vodpod id=Video.3431310&w=425&h=350&fv=playlist%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fbloggingheads.tv%2Fdiavlogs%2Fliveplayer-playlist%2F27409%2F15%3A10%2F16%3A40%26amp%3Bshuffle%3Dfalse%26amp%3Bstreamscript%3Drtmp%26amp%3Bautostart%3Dfalse%26amp%3Bshowdigits%3Dtotal%26amp%3Bshowskip%3Dfalse%26amp%3Bbackcolor%3D0x000000%26amp%3Bfrontcolor%3D0x787878%26amp%3Blightcolor%3D0xff0000%26amp%3Bimage%3D%2Fimages%2Fscreenshots%2Fbhtv-2010-04-13-mg-ns.jpg%26amp%3Benablejs%3Dtrue%26amp%3Bdisplayad%3Dfalse] BloggingheadsTV had Mark Leon Goldberg of UN Dispatch talking with Suzanne Nossel of the State Department yesterday about Iran’s bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. Yes, you heard that right. This, apparently, is how the Human Rights Council works — the countries most qualified to speak about human rights […]
JARAS: Tajbakhsh to be Released from Prison
According to the Jaras website, the most prominent Iranian opposition website, Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh, top researcher and sociology professor from Columbia University will be released from prison for Norooz, most likely by the end of today. Citing an unnamed source, Jaras is reporting that Dr. Tajbakhsh will be released by tonight or tomorrow. It appears […]
Rafsanjani: National Healer?
As one of the main pillars of power in the Islamic establishment, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani played a significant role in what became the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979. Depending on one’s political affiliation, Rafsanjani to this day is still either highly respected or highly feared in the internal political circles of Iran. Rafsanjani 75, a […]
“My Upbringing Taught Me to Have My Own Opinion.”
Narges Kalhor, an outspoken and eloquent Iranian film maker who also happens to be the daughter of a top adviser to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, made headlines last October by attending a human-rights film festival in Germany. Following Iran’s controversial presidential election, many Iranian artists and film makers expressed support for the opposition “Green Movement,” and Kalhor […]
Letter from a Tehran Jail
In the New York Times today, Flynt and Hillary Mann Leverett–both of whom I deeply respect–argue that the protesters in Iran make up a small, demographically isolated minority of Iranian society, and their activities therefore have very little chance of enacting real, substantive change in Iran’s political system. For evidence of the protest movement’s weakness, […]