Iranolution

YouTube video: Group of protesters hiding from official forces attack AND people get arrested

2009-11-05T23:50:00.001+01:00

13 Aban demonstration videos

2009-11-04T22:54:00.000+01:00

Today the 13 Aban finally arrived and the Sea of Green showed up in Iran to demonstrate.

A big video collection of today's events you can find under the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/user/GREENPOWER000#p/u/17/G38WCsJoOdA
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/11/videos-13-aban.html

And you can find some news roundup here:
http://enduringamerica.com/2009/11/04/the-latest-from-iran-4-november-13-aban-today-is-the-day/

MikVerbrugge: Updates from the Supreme Leader

2009-10-28T23:22:00.000+01:00

MikVerbrugge gives us some updates on what is going on behind the scenes. It looks like the Supreme Leader is getting harsher towards the reformist leaders and want them to get back in line. Read more for yourself at the following sites:

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/pd97
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/pdgo

Iran News Digest: Karroubi: I am not afraid and I am ready to pay any price

2009-10-28T23:20:00.000+01:00

Karroubi has been interviewed about the incident at the media fair and he also gives his opinion on the situation of the media:
http://www.irannewsdigest.com/2009/10/28/karroubi-i-am-not-afraid-and-i-am-ready-to-pay-any-price/

Mass arrest at prayer service

2009-10-23T23:01:00.000+02:00

At a prayer service held for the release of Seyed Shahaboddin Tabatabaei dozens attending the service were arrested:
http://english.mowjcamp.com/article/id/50554

Karroubi attacked at Mousala (media exhibition)

2009-10-23T22:54:00.001+02:00

Karroubi was attacked at the media exhibition by pro Ahmadi-Nejad/government supporters. Someone even throw a shoe at him. His security team and the sea of green escorted him out savely.

Here are some pictures:
Shoe is thrown
Karroubi protected
Karroubi in the masses
Karroubi in the masses II
Karroubi in his car
Karroubi without his turban, smiling

And here are some videos from the exhibition, showing Karroubi:
http://greenrevolutioniran.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post_23.html

1st internet interview with Mousavi since the election (english translation)

2009-10-19T17:05:00.000+02:00

Source: http://www.kaleme.com/1388/07/27/klm-807
Translation from Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=160862192605&ref=mf

~~(Check the sources for original Farsi version)~~

Mir Hossein Mousavi in his first video interview after the election: As long as the existence of the crisis in the country is denied, the majority of people are called outlaws and the right of people to decide their own destiny is not honored, there will not be any concrete solution for the current crisis.

Mir Hossein Mousavi in his first video interview after the election has provided important explanations regarding the issue of “National Unity” that has been discussed by different groups, parties and political figures. He mentioned that he also learned about this issue through media and that he was not contacted directly and if there is any news about this he will let people know.

In part of his remarks, Mousavi by pointing out that some individuals have proposed the “National Unity” plan with good intentions, said: “As long as the existence of the crisis in the country is denied, the majority of people are called outlaws and deceived and are not being considered and the right of people to decide their own destiny is not honoured, there will not be any concrete solution for the current crisis.”

Mir Hossein Mousavi also explained more about “living the Green Path of Hope” which he mentioned in his statement # 13 and by pointing out people’s spontaneous artistic, cultural, political and religious activities so far and also the importance of the role of media, said: “In fact today the battle has turned into life; life that cannot be stopped; and for that reason this movement is invincible. In a public dialogue atmosphere, this “life” will evolve and progress. Therefore the issue of media is of extraordinary importance, and given the fact that we don’t have access to the conventional media, I recommend that more attention be paid to the virtual media.”

Full English translation of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s remarks in his first video and internet interview is as follows:

Explaining the “National Unity” plan

This phrase has been used in media in different ways and it is good to separate them from each other. In the meeting that I had with the members of the minority fraction (reformist) of the parliament, I discussed the issue of “National Unity”. In that discussion my intention to use this phrase was more in a sense of a public will that has been strengthened during the election campaign based on our heritage and old civilization and common national interests and the message of a better future and prosperity and progress of our country, so the issue of “National Unity” was important in that regards; and we all witnessed the enthusiasm that had been created in the country regarding this issue.

I believe that even after the post-election events, this asset (National Unity) should still be preserved and we should try to strengthen it. National Unity is extremely important to all of us and we all must focus on it. In this case the interpretation of Unity, is the unity among all people of all classes; unity between intellectuals, students, different ethnic and cultural groups.

During the election campaign the human chain that connected North of Tehran to South of Tehran was one of the best aspects of National Unity among all classes of people who had participated in that event, and this has created a wave all over the country and according to such a picture the idea of “Green Path of Hope” was shaped.

However besides this case “National Unity” has been used with different meanings and after the recent events that happened in the country which we all are very well aware of them, a number of individuals with different intentions and some with good intentions have been trying to find a way to lower the tension between the political figures by dialogue and discussions. There is a proposal by Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanjani; also there were discussions that Ayatollah Mahdavi-Kani also has ideas about this issue and generally different individuals have been commenting regarding this issue. What is important is that I have not commented on this issue yet.

However considering the rumors that are spreading regarding the discussions in this matter, I have a memory from Imam [Khomeini] that I quote; and there is a point in this memory that I will act according to that point. During McFarlane story (Iran-Contra affair), which caused a crisis and people did not know if McFarlane had come to Iran or what had happened, whether he had come to Iran secretly and had returned [to US]. This issue was first reported by a Syrian newspaper and in the debate among the heads of the three branched of the government it had been mentioned that this case would have been drawn into the country and given the sensitivity about the issue of relations to US and talking with US, it would have been apparent that it could have caused a crisis in the country, so the heads of the three branches of the government and I went to Imam [Khomeini] and asked for his advice. When the case was explained to Imam Khomeini on how and why, and with what group this person had come and left, and what was the outcome of his trip and it was also mentioned that this case had been reported by a Lebanese or Syrian newspaper and would have been drown inside the country as well; Imam said: “go and let the people know about this issue, people should be informed” and also discussed this issue a bit. When we were leaving, Imam Khomeini added a sentence that I have always remembered in my mind as a golden and important sentence. He said: “never do such that you won’t be able to explain it to people.” and I have remembered this in my mind. Therefore if there is going to be any talk, discussion, debate or issue, naturally as a companion of this great movement, I will share it with the people and it won’t be such that I cannot defend it. It would be wise that regarding this matter or similar cases, given the incompetence of the domestic media and the fact that they are working against the Green Path of Hope, and that we don’t have a conventional media and all of our media have been restricted, people be vigilant on which media is spreading these news by considering their direction and their party affiliation and their possible intensions. This can help us to move in a thoughtful atmosphere that is according to our own values.

Explaining whether you have been contacted or visited regarding this issue

No, there have been no such discussions. However I am aware of Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanajani’s proposal that he had mentioned during the Friday Prayer as well as the suggestions that some of the members of the Expediency Council shared with him; and also through media, I am aware of the remarks that are claimed to be made by Ayatollah Mahdavi-Kani and others. Also I sometimes have witnessed that others with good intentions have raised such issues, but there has been no direct contact with me regarding this and there has been no correspondence and no official talks. In general nothing has been done regarding this issue.

In the 13th statement you have mentioned that we must embed our socio-political achievements into our lives and into our struggle. You had a sentence: “we must live the green path of hope.” Although this is very elegant phrase, it may come across as ambiguous in some case, can you elaborate on that?

Our nation has started a massive movement and we are involved in it too. Hopefully [if God is willing] I will continue toward this very direction that people are marching on. If we look carefully, early on when these incidents happened in the country, there were discussion on how to move, and what should our response be so that we can benefit from big achievements of the elections and the Islamic revolution and continue it. There were discussions on creation of parties, or fronts, or other groups all within the frameworks of political campaigns inside the country or as they are defined internationally. We thought that none of these can fulfill our goals and purposes. We saw that none of these constructs were coherent with the experiences that we had prior to the election, and of course the [same] experiences that we had together.

In this election, we saw that families, political, religious, artistic, cultural groups, and in general anyone anywhere according to their own methodology and capability helped out and entered the movement. In fact this was a continuation of our discussions earlier that every citizen would ‘stand as a campaign headquarters’. An action like that led to a national network. Actually, it was this very phenomenon that was the source of strength for this movement. The movement did not get its power from a political party. This does not mean that parties were not influential, or will not have an affect. No. Parties would always maintain their own standing, and their position is of key importance and will remain a necessity. They must continue with their own activities. However, we thought to continue on this path, and to achieve our goals and ideals under the banner of “advance Iran”, and to fulfill people’s demands, and achieving the full realization people’s rights, we must continue on under something much more inclusive and encompassing [from a single party] specially under the knowledge from the experiences [of unity] prior to the elections. And we did continue in such a manner and we announced it too.

In such a perspective it is unimportant how much every person can contribute, or how they contribute. The important thing is that there will be a national will that would remain. From only one person in one family, to large parties and political groups and fronts with experience, everyone would be able to send help to this massive movement in the framework of their own daily activities. I have always believed that a even a blind person, an old woman, old man, or someone who cannot possibly attend any of political activities, if from the corner of their own homes they send a prayer, we can consider it as an activity inside this network, let alone all the organized activism of large political groups.

Today we stand witness to a unique and exeptional blooming of creativity among our artistic groups. None of these belong to a movement of a party. Instead they belong to a large social network. We have numerous clips, and anthems were created not to mention countless paintings, drawings and cartoons. The extent of the flow of this creativity is not comparable to any period of our history. These are the bulk and the essence of the movement. These are what create the content of dialogues of this huge wave and this massive movement. They guide it and push it forward. This does not happen in a framework of party or any one political front. At times, two or three artists come together, or in larger or smaller groups, on corners of our country and even outside of our country, they have come together to send their help. There are joined by religious groups, religious gatherings, charity organizations and other political groups.

In fact here, the struggle has become a way of life, a life that continues and is unstoppable. It is not the case that you can constrain it at a point. As a result this movement is a movement that cannot be harmed. In an environment of collective dialogue and discussion these movements would be ever more encouraged and push themselves forward. In this regards, the media are of key importance. The labor that people pull in our media is honorable and much appreciated. Here, I emphasize yet again that considering that we do not have any media at all, we must pay more attention to such means and tools [of communication], and benefit more from them. This is a miracle that we have seen during and after the elections, and considering our current situation we must take advantage of such tools. Naturally, we are connecting the individual and the social environments through the media and all the while we are creating a enormous movement with large span, and a long range.

The fact is that this movement does not belong to any one small group, party or political current, neither does it follow a specific detail oriented struggle nor is it a fully oppositional movement. This movement is one that is a current that is blended into dreams, ideals, and style of lives of our own people. That is why it is very sustainable.

We want get inspiration from readings of Quron that say: “Make your own homes a Kaaba” (Kaaba: All Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayers, no matter where they are.) It must be that people in referring to this expansive social network, in their own large and small groups, each contribute their own share to the movement, so that the movement can maintain shape and continue.

How can we find a solution to the crisis?

Until we accept that we have a problem and are in a crisis, until the larger group of majority of people is labeled as disturbance, until people are not counted in the equations [of power] and until the rights of people to determine their own destinies is not accepted, we can not find a universal solution to our problem.

For this reason our national unity, as I referred to it in second meaning that I introduced earlier, which contains the activities, the groups and crowds of people. In this regards that these gatherings are with good intentions I think it is necessary that in every movement people be respected, that majority is not alienated. People are together, even those of them who have different views, it is us who analyze them and impose the differences. Unfortunately we separate the people from on another. The maxim here is that people should be respected. Their perspectives and ideas should be accepted. We must return to these fundamental rules. We must rely on the fundamental that we must return to the constitution and we must insist on fundamental that: "governance of people over their own destinies." Only then we can easily find a solution to this problem.

Reuters: Iran Guards chief threatens U.S., Britain after attack

2009-10-19T16:59:00.000+02:00

Britain is made responsible (as usually) for the suicide bombing in Iran by IRGC commander:
http://www.reuters.com/article/Iran/idUSTRE59I15J20091019?feedType=RSS&feedName=Iran&virtualBrandChannel=10209

MikVerbrugge: Nourizadeh - Mortazavi seeking refuge abroad

2009-10-14T18:00:00.000+02:00

Nourizadeh is telling that Mortazavi contacted him and is seeking refuge abroad:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/lrs8

Mortazavi is the former general prosecutor of Tehran and is maybe responsible for the crimes that happened in many Iranian prisons after the presidential election.

Fox news: Daughter of Ahmadinejad Adviser Seeks Asylum in Germany

2009-10-13T23:17:00.000+02:00

According to various news sources the daughter of a close Ahmadinejad Adviser (cultural and media affairs) has requested Asylum in Germany. The daughter, Narges Kalhor, is a a filmmaker and presented her latest movie "The rake" at the Nuremberg film festival:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,565301,00.html

Ongoing rumors about Khamenei's health

2009-10-13T23:13:00.000+02:00

There are some rumors going around that Khamenei's has some serious health problems since a few days. Well actually since some months but the rumors say that his health problems have increased dramatically over the last few days - some even believe that he might be in coma:
http://pajamasmedia.com/michaelledeen/2009/10/13/khamenei-said-to-be-in-coma/

AFP: Iran opposition leaders demand to speak on TV

2009-10-12T17:57:00.000+02:00

Iran opposition leaders (Mousavi, Karroubi) demand to speak on TV regarding the fraudulent election:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gVNphncNIJCrdDUdGymsftXbalrQ

7 Bahais to be executed on 18. October

2009-10-10T11:07:00.000+02:00

MikVerbrugge: Various updates regarding Majlis, NSP, Supreme Leader and Ahmadi-Nejad

2009-10-07T14:34:00.000+02:00

The twitterer @MikVerbrugge has posted various information on the ongoing "situation" in Iran especially with a focus on the Majlis and the National Security Panel. He gives us source information and rumors about the crimes that were comitted by the Ahmadi-Nejad government.

MikVerbrugge has been a trustful source in the past but please read the information with caution:
Larijani & Bahonar knew of Mousavi's election victory
Evidence & documents on Mortazavi's crimes will be turned over to Judiciary soon
Hashemi family has compiled massive & irrefutable evidence of anti regime activities by Mesbahieh (Hojjatieh)
AN government has comitted crimes
Mortazavi ignored Supreme Leader's orders
Accuasations against Mousavi or Kathami are baseless
NSP had reported on Mesbahieh & their plans 6 months before elections

MikVerbrugge: Ali Larijani reelected as Principlist Faction Leader

2009-10-06T17:59:00.000+02:00

Ali Larijani has been reelected as Principlist Faction Leader:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/k95l

MikVerbrugge

2009-10-06T17:58:00.000+02:00

Vice governor of Tehran has ordered Tehran City Council members not to visit families of freed detainees:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/k94c

MikVerbrugge: AN's Gov committed gravest mismanagement

2009-10-06T17:57:00.000+02:00

According to @MikVerbrugge AN's government committed some grave mismanagement:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/k93s

MikVerbrugge: Information on the National Security Panel

2009-10-05T17:52:00.000+02:00

The Twitterer MikVerbrugge has some background information on the National Security Panel:
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/k4ab

Tehran Bureau

2009-10-05T17:50:00.000+02:00

Tehran Bureau has a fresh article about Rafsanjani's "Unity Plan" - what it is, who is behind it and what is it's purpose:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/10/rafsanjanis-deal.html

Guardian: Ahmadinejad has no Jewish roots

2009-10-05T17:48:00.000+02:00

The Guardian claims that the rumors of Ahmadi-Nejad having jewish roots are false:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/05/mahmoud-ahmadinejad-jewish-family

Iran Human Rights Voice: Six Prisoners Executed in Iran

2009-10-05T15:56:00.000+02:00

Six prisoners have been executed in Iran by hangig (the usual method) on Wednesday, September 29:
http://www.ihrv.org/inf/?p=2941

Aljazeera: Iran has A-bomb know-how

2009-10-04T23:39:00.000+02:00

In this Aljazeera article it is claimed that Iran has already the know-how to built the A-bomb:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/10/200910441447639450.html

Right Side News: My Name Is Farshad Kholghi, And I Am A Free Man

2009-10-04T23:37:00.000+02:00

Interesting article on Right Side News by Farshad Kholghi, really worth the read:
http://www.rightsidenews.com/200910036713/editorial/my-name-is-farshad-kholghi-and-i-am-a-free-man.html

Radio Zamaneh: 15 student leaders arrested in Tehran

2009-10-02T21:59:00.000+02:00

Today security forces arrested 15 student leaders in Tehran, read more about it @ radio zamaneh:
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2009/10/15-student-leaders-arrest.html

The Boston Globe: Obama says Iran talks a 'constructive beginning'

2009-10-02T16:57:00.000+02:00

The Boston Globe covers US president Obama's remarks about the talks in Geneva between the P5+1 and Iran:
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/10/obama_says_iran.html

NY Times: Iran Agrees to Send Enriched Uranium to Russia

2009-10-02T10:43:00.000+02:00

The NY Times knows the outcome of the talks between the P+1 and Iran in Geneva:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/world/middleeast/02nuke.html?_r=1&hp

Xinhua: Swiss ambassador meets detained Americans in Iran

2009-10-01T15:43:00.000+02:00

Xinhua reports about the three American hikers which crossed the border from Iraq to Iran in July and have been detained since. The Swiss ambassador (representing US interests) now met the hikers:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/30/content_12137632.htm

Reuters: Iran raises nuclear issue in Geneva talks

2009-10-01T15:22:00.000+02:00

According to this Reuters article the Iranian diplomat has raised the nuclear question at todays talk in Geneva (P+1) despite earlier intimations that this issue wouldn't be negotiable:
http://www.reuters.com/article/Iran/idUSTRE59031920091001

The Persian Umprise Blog on news coverage inside Iran

2009-10-01T08:58:00.000+02:00

The Persian Umpire blog has published a nice article on how much news about the happenings inside Iran is available to the Iranians itself and on which ways they get the news:
http://www.persianumpire.com/2009/09/29/i-see-you/

BBC article on todays 5+1 powers talk in Geneva with Iran

2009-10-01T08:39:00.000+02:00

The P+1 meet today in Geneva with representatives from Iran to talk about Iran's nuclear ambitions:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8283400.stm

Photos from Hajjarian

2009-09-30T22:47:00.000+02:00

After Hajjarian's bail out there are some new photos now:
http://www.rahesabz.net/story/2148/

or

http://bit.ly/pr2I8

To know more about Hajjarian visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saeed_Hajjarian

Letter to the iranian people and high ranking clerics

2009-09-30T15:59:00.000+02:00

More than 300 political, social, cultural and civil activists published a letter addressed to the Iranian people, as well as the sources of emulation (high-ranking clerics):
http://txtb.in/57R

Reuters: Iran holds 10 policemen in jail abuse case: report

2009-09-30T15:41:00.000+02:00

Reuters published a news article about the arrest of 10 policemen, related to the crimes that happend in Kahrizak prison:
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Iran/idUSTRE58T1TR20090930

I hope these aren't just some scapegoats.

Introduction

2009-09-30T13:20:00.000+02:00

What is this blog about?

It is about Iran my friend. As you may already know from my tweets (http://www.twitter.com/IsleyConst) I am not an Iranian citizen or have any special relation to Iran. In fact I live in a save, democratic country and can enjoy freedom. I'm linked to the GDR on my father's side and have experienced myself indirectly what it means to live in a dictatoral regime - and yes, that is what Iran is at the moment.

A year ago I started to being interested in islam, not because I like to join this religion but to know more about things like: why happend 9/11, what drives islamic terrorists, who was Mohammed and what happend really. I don't want to hide my distaste against islam. There are so many things in this religion I cannot accept but that also counts for many other religions. I'm not an atheist - I do believe in something bigger in us, or at least, I want to believe. But I'm not bound to a certain god or prophet. So, during my "researches" I also came across Iran and its history. Of course I was already aware of Ahmadi-Nejad for some years. Especially because of his controversial UN speech or the things he told about the holocaust. I followed the events in Iran before the election (eg. the campain of Mousavi) and I really hoped the iranian people would now vote for a new president and replace Ahmadi-Nejad. As soon as the news spread that Ahmadi has won the election with a high percentage I knew that there had to be fraud. Well at least that's what I believed and still believe. Since that day, June 12, I follow every news related to Iran. I'm a lot in twitter and follow what happens from there and I also try to spread important news and to help the iranian citizen (at least the ones that want some reform).

So, this blog shall not be to judge about islam or any other religion, this blog shall be to inform you about what happens in Iran. Focus is on news about the current crisis after the presidential election 2009. I will mainly try to aggregate news.