Iran will not allow 'illegal' opposition rally

[oberliner]

Source: AFP

TEHRAN — An interior ministry official said on Saturday Iran will not allow the opposition to hold a rally in support of Arab uprisings which regime backers believe to be a ploy for fresh anti-government protests.

Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi had sought ministry permission to stage a rally on Monday which they said was to show solidarity with the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

"These elements are fully aware of the illegal nature of the request. They know they will not be granted permission for riots," Mehdi Alikhani Sadr, a senior official at the ministry's political bureau, told Fars news agency.

Permission for "riots by seditionists" will not be given, he said, referring to opposition leaders blamed by regime officials for widespread unrest after the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gz1MoG-Rv65UsPoUwvkw8RMXf7HA?docId=CNG.4e201b9124c065f698a3b89b09e38576.661

[iandhr]

1. This won't end well.

Unlike the Egyptian army the Iranian army has show a willingness to fire on there own people.

[jwirr]

7. I suspect most of the protests held from now on may have dire consequences

because the leaders are all aware of what is happening. Algeria and Iran have both used mild force to try to stop it and I think I heard that Pakistan also put down a demonstration. They are going to have to make sure that the "whole" country is with them before they do this and even then they should be prepared to die if necessary. As the baggers keep reminding us liberty sometime calls for blood. I wish this were not true but I cannot see those leaders giving up their rule that easy. Especially Iran and Pakistan.

[hollowdweller]

2. I bet those young Iranians

Who took to the streets and didn't get anywhere are so sad when they see the stuff going on in Egypt.

I think it is maybe easier to overthrow a secular rather than a religious government because the a certain large segment of the religious will always support the religious leader in the wrong out of supposed piety, and support their beliefs over their own freedom or economic interest.

If Iran's people ever overthrow their gov't I wonder if they will do a re write that cuts power from the religious sector?

[Lasher]

3. A lot of those young Iranians were shot dead for their transgressions.

I have developed more respect for the Egyptian people, having seen events unfold without concluding in extermination of dissidents.

[AndyTiedye]

6. Has Any Theocracy Ever been Overthrown by a Popular Uprising?

I don't mean a secular monarchy that incidentally claimed "divine right of kings" but a full-on theocracy.

Have any of them ever fallen to a popular uprising? Ever?

[rollin74]

4. the Iranian clerics will never go as easily as Mubarak

unfortunately, the Revolutionary Guard and Basij thugs appear to be much more loyal to the regime and have not hesitated to use violence and murder to suppress protesters.

The people willing to risk their lives to protest in Iran are very brave and have my respect.

[rayofreason]

5. The Mullahs are nervous

While the revolution in Egypt provides opportunity for meddling and support of Islamist radicals, it sets a very bad example (from the Mullah point of view) for the Iranian people. I would expect a vigorous and violent government response to protests to try to shut them down hard and early, before things snowball out of control.

[oberliner]

8. Are they?

They have an odd way of showing it!

[Pterodactyl]

9. The government of Iran sucks.