Some of Iran’s more moderate politicians appear to be advising the government to find a way to end the political deadlock and dangerous mass uprisings.
Nationwide protests, which have dragged on for seven weeks, have escalated in recent days as security forces kill more people and protesters on the streets are determined to overthrow the Islamic Republic’s cleric and military regime. ing.
“The Tehran government needs to listen to the other side,” said a former Majlis chairman who is now a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Mr Larijani advised the government to consider the fact that “perhaps the other side is also partly right”.
Nonetheless, while the statement shows signs of rationality, Larijani’s following comments, like Khamenei, indicate that he believes there are “enemies” behind the uprising: ” The enemy is targeting all of Iran,” he said.
“In neighboring countries, Americans are openly and aggressively lobbying Iranian counter-revolutionary forces and telling them to put pressure on Tehran,” Larijani said. However, he did not name the country. It is also possible that Larijani is repeating Khamenei’s conspiracy theory as a shield for himself.
Undated photo of Ali Larijani and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Alluding to the disrespectful slogans chanted by Iranian demonstrators against Ayatollah Khamenei, Larijani said: He was probably referring to the swearing, vile accusations, arrogance and unilateralism that are common among conservatives in Iran.
In another development, former Vice-President Masseme Ebtekar was one of the “students” who seized the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held 54 US diplomats hostage for 444 days. Known to former US hostages as: In a November 3rd tweet, Sister Mary suggested a way out of the current impasse.: “The best way to end this cycle of violence is to stop arresting protesters, listen to their demands, acknowledge what is wrong with society, restore justice, and liberate Iran’s men and women.” to hold the government accountable, to engage in an effective dialogue with Iran, to promote comprehensive reforms, to restore public confidence in the government, and to use political power to determine its own destiny. I ask you to participate,” he said.
Ebtekar during US hostages in 1979 and now
This is a very difficult mandate pursued by Iran’s reformists for a quarter of a century, only to witness more repression and bad governance.
My heart goes out to the violence witnessed by Iranians during the November 2 protests, particularly in Karaj, near Tehran, where at least two security guards were reportedly killed and many others injured. Seemingly moved, Ebtekar advised the government to take action sooner or later. “It will be too late. Grab the opportunity while it lasts,” she wrote.
On the contrary, referring to the same violent event, Ultra-conservative MP Ahmad Naderi wrote in a tweet on November 3:: “What happened in Karaj was not a protest. It was a security crisis. The level of confrontation by security forces should be proportionate to protests, riots, rebellions and terrorism. There is no room for appeasement.”
Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the Cayhan daily, which runs under Ali Khamenei’s supervision, also called for a tougher crackdown on dissent on Friday.
Reform analyst Mohammad Reza Tajik spoke out on Saturday “The riots by the Iranian people mark a violent resurgence of the repressed right to protest, as if we are facing an uprising to restore the long-chained right to action. is.”
