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June 25, 2009
What next in Iran
Posted: 11:46 AM ET
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Iranian police stand guard Tuesday outside the British Embassy in Tehran during a protest.
Iranian police stand guard Tuesday outside the British Embassy in Tehran during a protest.

Christiane Amanpour | BIO
CNN International Correspondent

Despite his threat of "bloodshed," and the subsequent beatings and shooting deaths by government agents, the open protests on Iran's streets by hundreds of thousands of people have dented the shield of invincibility of Iran's Supreme religious Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, say sources in Iran. Chants of "Death to Khamenei" broke a state-imposed and self-imposed absolute prohibition on criticizing a leader believed to be wielding the wisdom and authority of God himself.

Right now, the massive network of Iran's intelligence agents, Revolutionary Guard, paramilitary Basij, and police of all sorts, are cracking down. Sources say they are also going house to house, through email accounts and web postings, through cell phone calls and SMS text messages (when the system is allowed to stay up) and even to taxi agencies whose drivers hoisted Moussavi posters during the election campaign. They are rounding people up and, as it was chillingly put to me, in Iran's prisons "we have room for all of them."

And alleged protestors are being paraded "confessing and repenting" on Iranian State TV. The government also claims to be arresting "foreign agents" accused of stirring up the protests.

Sources say the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, aligned with Ayatollah Khamenei, plucked Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from total obscurity as presidential candidate in 2005, in order to hold the line against "reform" in the country, after eight years of the reformist President Mohammad Khatami.

Sources in the Iranian government and well-placed analysts inside the country SAY the IRGC has taken up influential positions in many major sectors of Iranian society, such as the oil industry, finance, transport, construction and politics. Iran has been "increasingly radicalized over the last four years," one told me.

There are divisions within the clerical establishment and in Parliament, sources tell me that for now that does not threaten the ruling establishment.

I was told the weekend arrests of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani's daughter and other relatives, and their swift release, were a warning to Rafsanjani, who backed Mir Hossein Moussavi in the election. So far the powerful mullahs, monitoring it all from the holy city of Qom, are mostly quiet.

And finally, for now, while Moussavi has startled the system with his willingness to press the election case, he is also considered, at this moment, no Ayatollah Khomeini. Nowhere near as charismatic and powerful as the leader of the successful revolution in 1979.

Sources say Moussavi is not formally arrested or under house arrest. However his movements and words are "controlled" by security and intelligence officials. So in effect there is no visible leader for the street protesters today - unlike 1979, when Khomeini led from exile.

Sources say all this could change if mass demonstrations hit the streets and simply remain there all over the country, if the security forces refuse to expand the crack down, or if people go on nationwide strike, like they did in 1978-79.

As long as the streets and squares remain blanketed by security, they are mostly clear of protesters.

Right now chants of Allah-Akbar still resound from the rooftops at night. Although residents say they seem to be dying down in some neighborhoods. Even the honking horns and flashing headlights are fading from the traffic.

At this moment, however, it is impossible to know how this contest of wills - and powers - will play out.

21 Comments
More about: 360° Radar •  Christiane Amanpour •  Iran
21 Comments
Cindy   June 25th, 2009 12:08 pm ET

It seems to me that the Iranian government is actually winning this thing. They have managed to stop most of the protests from happening unfortunately. The only thing that I can see making a difference is if everyone did a huge walk out and refused to work and brought the country to a stand still. The government couldn't do anything then because they can't force everyone to work. Hopefully that rumor of this happening is true and they'll get it done soon. If not I just don't see a way that Mousavi and the Iranian people have a shot at beating the government rulers.

Cindy..Ga.

andrew everett   June 25th, 2009 12:16 pm ET

Like Der Fuhrer, the Supreme Ruler is a fascist who has repeatedly stated plans to conquer and destroy people and countries. Like Der Fuhrer, the Supreme Ruler sends out thugs (Hitler had the brownshirts, Khomenei the basiji) to beat his own country into submission. Hitler's outlook was purely based on race, Khomenei's outlook is based on religion–but both leader's subject their populations to tyrranny and terror. Both leader's used political militias to create chaos in the region, Hitler had brownshirts in Austria (etc.) while khomenei has hamas and hezbollah. Both leaders aggressively built up military arms under the guise of peaceful use (Hitler bought plane engines from Britain, Khomenei nuclear facilities from Russia). If history repeats itself, we're in trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aria   June 25th, 2009 12:32 pm ET

My prayers and thoughts go out to all peoples of Iran my home country. This is our civil rights, our movement for change that is long awaited. I hope that all the young and old come united under one banner of change and collectively, regardless of political leadership, religious leadership, and or any other sectism and united seek the ever changing need that HAS to come about. Ultimately, I believe that this regime must change, that its mullah's return to their Mosques and step away from politics and shift the powers to its people who not only have earned that right but also are deservant of that right. History has shown time and again that the power IS with the people and Freedom Costs, as such I hope that the deaths do not go in vain. The world IS watching and the Truth is being heard and seen, and WE are with you!

jose caballero   June 25th, 2009 12:35 pm ET

i am from Honduras , will be greate if you take a look what its happenig here , our president wants to continue in the power,using like a excuse a change in constitution .All this under the influences of the Chavez patrom politics we hope don't take problems of violence .
we have the first sign of power abuse, he fired up the general commander because he don't want to listen an ilegal order from the president .
Honduran people are very consern we don't know what can happen in the future .

Wain, Pakistan   June 25th, 2009 12:41 pm ET

Just remain out of Iran, why cant US and Israel leave a few remaining Muslim countries alone. They have invaded Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebnon and Pakistan after the inside job of 9-11, not to mention Palestine as it seems like a life long invasion. And now its Iran and then God knows what. Its a lot of bad karma US and Israel are piling up for themselves.

20 lives were taken in Iran during last week due to the political unrest and 50 lives were takes in just a matter of seconds by a US drone attack in Pakistan two days ago. So do the math and come up with your own exis of evil.

Michael C. McHugh   June 25th, 2009 12:47 pm ET

Once again, this regime has shown itself to be a totalitarian police state with a Supreme Fuehrer, and we should be under no illusions about that. It has simply dropped all pretense of democracy, crushed the opposition and demanded that the world accept the "results" of an election in which the votes were never even counted. Other dictatorships like Russia and China have rushed to embace it, but we should not.

Ken   June 25th, 2009 12:53 pm ET

Cindy,

There is winning a battle and there is winning a war. This could truly turn out very ugly, a military dictatorship in fact as well as name. However, the full quote, which is rarely completed says that it is better to be feared than loved, but to be hated is worst of all. Machiavelli was right about this, and the Iranian Government has now created deep veins of hatred within large segments of their population that will never be healed. Before this trouble started their economy was not doing well, after the dust settles it will look like the good old days. The leadership will have a lot to deal with, even if there is not a single additional demonstration. The regime may last, they may develop nuclear weapons, they have destroyed their status among nation states and their legitimacy with much of their population, they have made their bed, now they will have to lay in it.

Dereck Barber   June 25th, 2009 12:55 pm ET

If only American's understood their need to protest and sacrifice just as Iran's people. Their people are standing and speaking to power as we should've when Bush became America's dictator. We need not under estimate the people's will being done, for the seed of change has bloomed into a necessary movement that can't be reversed. America, be still and watch the people reclaim their true destiny of more and better!

Jash   June 25th, 2009 12:56 pm ET

What is the difference between the suppression of people's voice about an election and the perpetual and aggressive suppression of black people in Canada and the rest of the Western countries?

Amir Rafii   June 25th, 2009 1:35 pm ET

Dear Anderson:
one key question that I have for the Iranian leader is that it takes this government couple of days to gather their pro government group to show how much support they have from Iranian people to demoralize them. Of course they have used this technique for 30 years and it does not work anymore. I dare this government to allow the foreign media to go in and allow two days of silent demonstration to go on to show how many Iranian’s hate this government and are actually against them.
If they did not cheat the election, then they had nothing to worry about. The leader of Iran ( Khamenaie) should have had enough confidence to allow the ballots to be recounted. But, he did not choose that path and that by itself is a sign of weakness and concern.
Also Mr. Obama should gather the world leaders at the UN to send a strong message to the Iranian leaders to stop the beating and killing of the innocent people. If they do not stop their act, severe sanction should be imposed on them right away. We need to stop sending refined gasoline to Iran. We will regret this chance if we do not act now. This government will not hesitate to drop a nuclear weapon on Israel and the rest of the world in order to survive. They do not hesitate to kill their own people. Keep up the good work.
Regards;
Amir

kamy Farb   June 25th, 2009 2:06 pm ET

What is going on in Iran is "Genocide". I don't know why we do not call it as it is. The innocent people are being killed and beaten by just walking in the street. If is not Genocide what is it ?

Rita   June 25th, 2009 2:36 pm ET

Our thanks to CNN and its staff specially Anderson Cooper, Josh Levs and all the others who cover Iran's latest news.
Innocent people in Iran need to have a voice and need not to be forgotten. Iran's government is the worst dictatorship on earth at the present time.

rita

Sam   June 25th, 2009 3:49 pm ET

HUGE thanks to CNN for the admirable work they have done covering Iran's situation. You are all a very talented team. I strongly believe justice will prevail in time. When an Islamic government who does not hesitate to kill their own people like animals amongst many other horrific acts, should be terminated and punished. It's not that people are against Islam, but are against these extremists who use and abuse that faith to rule the way they want. These murderers do not represent Islam. Their way of argument and justification is to put down all other countries and provoke the world with their baseless comments to intentionally turn around the argument. I will live to see these extremists be brought to judgment and punishment for the inhumanity they have committed for 30 years.

Sam   June 25th, 2009 3:52 pm ET

HUGE thanks to CNN for the admirable work they have done covering Iran's situation. You are all a very talented team. I strongly believe justice will prevail in time. When an Islamic government who does not hesitate to kill their own people like animals among other horrific acts, should be terminated and punished. It's not that people are against Islam, but are against these extremists who use and abuse that faith. These murderers do not represent Islam. Their way of argument and justification is to put down all other countries and provoke the world with their baseless comments. I will live to see the Iranian government be brought to judgment and punishment for the inhumanity they have committed for the past 30 years.

Aryaee   June 25th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

Mr. President how long do you want to avoid the issue?
The Iran’s situation is not just an internal issue; it is the issue of humanity and its rights, the issue of exporting terrorism and nuclear weapon. If they do this to their own people, can you imagine what they do when they have the nuclear weapon?
The hand you are waiting to shake is covered with blood.
Its time to take action collectively with United Nation which so far acted more like United Against Nation to stop this regime of terror and thugs.
Its time to show true leadership and stand for what you calim to represent. Don’t just talk the talk, stand up, be a man and walk the walk.

Aryaee

Tim Gibson   June 25th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

Has and will the government of Iran crack down on the people. Sad factt is, why would anyone ask that question. The people of Iran have long been victims of their leadership with severe penalty for what they as a nation call crime. Now remember, like in America where the majority rules, it is just a different approach than we have as a nation upon our people on one hand, but a reflection on the other. We all have bones in the grave yard.

The whole area in the middle east, Iran, Iraq, Afgh., Pakistan, and Somalia are a tender box with a short fuse that will result in an intense reaction to any kind of visible intrusion into their political or cultural ways of life. Even if those who call out to us, as they so often have done in the past, turn on us when we touch into their affairs.

We have our own conflict here at home with the many hate groups within our society. Our differences can never be anything more than similar.

silvia   June 25th, 2009 4:16 pm ET

Without the people, Iran has nothing! The people can win this and we need to support them all the way!

mohammed A.   June 25th, 2009 4:25 pm ET

hello just have to say one thing or quote what once was said on another show Iran could be like Iraq country so nice thats going to
be revolutionized twice. And matter of fact its in many views is that
close to Iraq

Alan   June 25th, 2009 4:43 pm ET

I Remeber 1978 revolution went trough the same cycle of slow downs and took months to succeed. The day first blood was shed , i think was the day regime put the stamp to their end. look at history of IRAN , no regime have ever servived after uprising of majority. i give another month or two , and is all over for regime. NEDA is my hero.

Rick   June 25th, 2009 4:57 pm ET

Let Isreal deal with Irans Government.

Tony SC   June 25th, 2009 5:14 pm ET

I am not a big fan of the Iranian government but I am left puzzled when the president asks Iran to let the people have their freedom of speech yet on the other hand he hands weapons to the Sumalian governments to fight the protectors.

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