Karroubi Son Brutalized After Feb. 11 Arrest (updated)
Fatemeh Karroubi, the wife of Mehdi Karroubi who is one of Iran’s main opposition leaders, claims her youngest son was arrested, tortured and threatened with rape after the February 11 anti-government protests. In an open letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran — Mrs. Karroubi discusses the […]
Bearing Witness: 22 Bahman
NIAC is liveblogging the events of Feb. 11 in Iran, which marks the latest day of planned opposition protests as well as the anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic. We encourage readers to share their own news and insights in the comments section below. 2:36 pm: More from the Senate presser. John McCain, […]
“Revolution is not Completed; Dictatorship Still Exists”
The anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, February 11, is commemorated in Iran as a day to recognize the Iranian people’s stand against all forms of dictatorship. That day 31 years ago was one of the bloodiest of the Iranian uprising that toppled the Pahlavi dynasty and its dictatorial regime. This year, the government expects massive […]
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, […]
Chinese Death-Mobiles
A colleague forwarded these photos of Chinese-made vehicles that appear to be designed for crowd-control, possibly to be used against protesters in Iran. I think it’s interesting how a lot of the anger at the government’s repression against the protesters is now being directed toward the Chinese for supporting the regime. China has long maintained […]
Woops…[update of “Former IRGC Spy Chief: The End is Near”]
As you know, when we here at NIAC aren’t promoting human rights in Iran, ensuring the free flow of information via Internet services, and protecting the interests of the Iranian-American community, we also do a little blogging. From time to time, helpful users like you send us tips and information on interesting stories dealing with […]
NIAC calls for Disarmament of Basij Paramilitary to Ensure Security for Iranian Citizens
Contact: Phil Elwood 917.379.3787 For Immediate Release Washington, DC – The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) strongly condemns the campaign of intimidation being carried out by the Iranian government against its citizens through the Basij paramilitary. NIAC calls on the Iranian government to disarm the Basij immediately and to end the violent repression of the […]
“If they do not accept you, you do not force them to — and you leave.”
In July, much of the discussion revolved around the role Rafsanjani might play in a national reconciliation bid. Since the violence this past weekend, editorial pages are abuzz about the possibility that the regime might soon topple, but few have taken the time to question how such monumental changes might actually occur within Iran’s political […]
Obama’s Statement on Iran
From President Obama’s press statement today: Before I leave, let me also briefly address the events that have taken place over the last few days in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted […]
Trita Parsi on CNN: Why the US should care
Trita went on CNN yesterday to discuss why Americans should care about the roiling demonstrations in Iran. He was also asked about the IRGC’s role in an increasingly militarized Iran, and what that might mean for the days and weeks to come. [vodpod id=Groupvideo.4301404&w=425&h=350&fv=] more about “Trita Parsi on CNN: Why the US should…“, posted […]
The Basiji Road
“Now that I look back on it, I feel those men deserve pity,” says Ebrahim Mehtari. He is responding to an Al Jazeera English interview question, asking “If you could face your torturers again, what would you say to them?” “It’s a difficult question, but I feel they are more tortured than me…[They] need help. […]
To Twitter or Not to Twitter
“It was Sullivan who famously proclaimed ‘The Revolution Will Be Twittered’ and called Twitter ‘the critical tool for organizing the resistance in Iran,’” writes Evgeny Morozov a Foreign Policy blogger and Georgetown University Fellow. “It is easy to see why so many pundits accepted this narrative: they had seen something similar before,” he continues, referring […]