More Cracks in Iranian Establishment

TEHRAN – Five weeks after the disputed presidential elections, and four days after former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani delivered a controversial speech at the Friday prayers in Tehran in which he sided with the opposition and challenged the legitimacy of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government, the rift between the ruling elites has widened, with some in the … Continue reading “More Cracks in Iranian Establishment”

Iran Opposition Shows Life Around Friday Prayer

TEHRAN – Amid a flurry of anticipation and speculation, former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani led Friday prayers in Tehran this week. The event set off massive protests around the first official appearance of several opposition leaders since the crackdown on protesters following the disputed Jun. 12 presidential election. Rafsanjani, who heads the powerful Expediency … Continue reading “Iran Opposition Shows Life Around Friday Prayer”

Picnicking Outside Tehran’s Evin Prison

Outside the gates of Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, hundreds wait impatiently – some with blankets spread out in the parking lot on the street below, making time for dinner. The improvised picnic area has become a second home to the families of those arrested in the massive roundups that accompanied Iran’s post-election unrest. They were … Continue reading “Picnicking Outside Tehran’s Evin Prison”

Iran: Harsh Crackdown Extends to Leading Opposition Figures

TEHRAN – Eleven days after Iran’s disputed June 12 president election, the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears determined to round up key members of the opposition, journalists, and human rights activists who could play a key role in rallying public support for opposition demands. The streets of the Iranian capital and other provincial cities … Continue reading “Iran: Harsh Crackdown Extends to Leading Opposition Figures”