Iran News Roundup 01/13
CIA memos uncover Mossad “false flag” operations A series of CIA memos, written during the George W. Bush’s administration, describes how Mossad agents, pretending to be American agents and carrying US passports, reportedly recruited the terrorist group Jundallah to carry out a covert war against Iran (Foreign Policy 01/13). U.S. sends warning to Iran’s Supreme […]
Leader Pardons 81 Political Prisoners, Hundreds More Remain Incarcerated
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pardoned 81 of some 530 political prisoners jailed in the wake of the 2009 presidential election. The fate of the other 450 who remain incarcerated is unknown and new arrests continue to be made. The government has not released the names of those pardoned or confirmed their wrongful prosecution. According […]
“70 Percent of University Students Oppose Government: Iranian Official”
Rooz Online (via Payvand) is reporting that Mohammad Mohammadian, head of the Supreme Leader’s Office of University Affairs, stated today that “According to the existing data, 70 percent of students voted against Ahmadinejad.” The situation in the universities nationwide is growing more chaotic very quickly, the article states. Here’s more: Even for a while prior […]
Khamenei Has Ordered Arrest of Karroubi (UPDATED)
Mousavi’s Green Path of Hope news service is reporting that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi’s arrest. Here is the translation of that report (translation copyright New York Times): Informed news sources in Tehran report that “hearings” indicate Khamenei has given an order for the arrest of Karroubi. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, […]
Conservative MP: Khamenei Urged MPs to Support Cabinet
In the latest sign suggesting that Ahmadinejad’s political power depends on Khamenei’s backing, AFP is reporting that a senior conservative MP has said the Cabinet’s approval depended on Khamenei’s support. From AFP: TEHRAN — Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged MPs to approve President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s cabinet, a senior lawmaker said on Friday, the […]
Supreme Leader to MPs: Accept All Cabinet Nominees
Khabar Online is reporting that the Supreme Leader is placing further pressure on MPs to validate the entire Cabinet (h/t New York Times): With the publication of news from Majles Representatives based on the announcement from the Supreme Leader that he prefers a positive vote for all proposed Ministers, it is predicted that all 21 […]
Supreme Leader, Armed Forces Pressure MPs to Accept Cabinet
According to unconfirmed reports, the Supreme Leader’s office and the Commander of Iran’s Armed Forces have been pressuring MPs to accept Ahmadinejad’s Cabinet. Rouydad News reports (h/t New York Times): There have been contacts from the office of the Supreme Leader and people close to Ahmadinejad to MPs [to support his Cabinet]. In one case, […]
Lawmakers Challenge Khamenei’s Qualification to Rule
The AP reports that former Reformist lawmakers have called for a probe of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that would investigate his qualification to rule following the post-election protests. TEHRAN, Iran — A group of former reformist lawmakers appealed to a powerful clerical body in Iran to investigate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s qualification to rule […]
Live-blogging Friday’s Events in Iran
[polldaddy poll=1721241] 12:23 am: A NIAC member points to propaganda like this video playing up fears of foreign conspiracies against Iran as indicative of why Obama’s approach has been the right one thus far. He notes Iran has stepped up airing videos similar to this. 11:39 pm: With many concerned a major crackdown against the […]