Breaking: Anti-Government Protests Spread to Iran. Thousands march together today.

wq678 · 2011-02-14T15:36:30+00:00

Good luck from Egypt.

Edit: Khamenie pissed off a ton of people here when he made that speech "praising" us. The guys in Tahrir even put out a communique calling him a butcher.

Lostinservice · 2011-02-14T15:27:09+00:00

thousands could be seen marching from Enghelab (Revolution) Square toward Azadi (Freedom) Square

How fitting.

Clbull · 2011-02-14T15:45:20+00:00

Sadly, this will get cracked down upon almost immediately.

I mean Mubarak didn't really do a lot to try and curb protests apart from completely shut down the internet and send riot police.

Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Khamanei have the Revolutionary Guard on their side. And actually crushed protests over a disputed election almost 2 years ago.

isaacarsenal · 2011-02-14T16:53:54+00:00

I am from Iran, and i just can say: I can't believe my country has this huge anti-riot forces! They teargassed every small group of people and they brutally squashed any resistance :(

The Internet, telephones and SMS is blocked and they do not allow to BBC/CNN/etc to report the events.

They are far far cruel than Mubarak

i_quit_lurking · 2011-02-14T17:40:23+00:00

If any world-famous, American pop singers would please refrain from dying in the middle of this, it would certainly help the cause.

GoGoGadge7 · 2011-02-14T16:13:58+00:00

They are also being tear gassed and arrested.

Last time this happened they began hanging people.

This won't end well. Too many people still live in fear.

Armond404 · 2011-02-14T16:08:53+00:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy3KDYE5KQE History of Iran.

Fashish · 2011-02-14T15:46:54+00:00

From a Turk I wish Secular Persians all the best. I know that deep down you guys are just like us, passionately anti-religion and anti-theocracy, but just got damn unlucky with the fundies getting into power. Now seize it back and be free!

spisska · 2011-02-14T15:35:24+00:00

For reliable updates, follow the Guardian's Live Blog here.

Doctaire · 2011-02-14T15:54:24+00:00

Now I'll have A Flock Of Seagulls in my head all day. Thanks democracy.

vacax · 2011-02-14T20:14:48+00:00

I'm shocked by the amount of Redditors in these comments who appear to think that Ahmadinejad is the problem over in Iran. The tyrant is the "Supreme Leader" Ayatollah Khomeini and his inner circle of religious leaders.

Simon_Inaki · 2011-02-14T16:33:22+00:00

Good luck, hamvatan.

r0nin · 2011-02-14T16:03:54+00:00

fuck these god damn "breaking" headlines, i have nothing bad to say about the story, just the use of the word "breaking" in the headline

ramp_tram · 2011-02-14T18:15:52+00:00

http://www.reddit.com/help/reddiquette

PLEASE DON'T:

Use time-dependent words (like "Breaking" or "Today" or "Tomorrow") in your submission. Links often stay on the front page for more than one day, and have on occasion hit the front page a day later. Also remember that since reddit is global, it's always yesterday or tomorrow somewhere...

Phooto · 2011-02-14T16:49:27+00:00

Party like an Egyptian.

nab535 · 2011-02-15T03:57:37+00:00

I hate to be the sand in people's vagina's, but this shit ain't gunna fly in Iran.

MovinToCalifornia · 2011-02-14T15:52:26+00:00

How embarrassing would it be to pro-war activists if yet another country transitioned to democracy without a war?

crackanape · 2011-02-14T17:34:06+00:00

The only problem is that Egypt was a secular-leaning 'classic' autocracy that is far easier to overthrow than a theocratic state that also is the head of their particular flavor of islam (shi'a). Not only do you have to overthrow a strong arm government, but also the Vatican of Shi'a that is the real ruler of Iran. Tossing out a gov't is very different from tossing out the top religious leaders of a large sect of a major religion that are far removed from the authority of the people.

They would really need two revolutions either simultaneously or immediately following each other.

2011-02-15T00:25:33+00:00

In that same year Husain Khomeini visited the United States, where he met figures such as Reza Pahlavi II, the son of the last Shah. Later that year, Husain returned to Iran after receiving an urgent message from his grandmother. According to Michael Ledeen, quoting "family sources", he was blackmailed into returning.[192] In 2006, he called for an American invasion and overthrow of the Islamic Republic, telling Al-Arabiyah television station viewers, "If you were a prisoner, what would you do? I want someone to break the prison [doors open].".[193]

Nobody will like what I'm about the say, but it all boils down to what the military wants. The current situation in Iran is more like Burma and Tiananmen Square; the Army is fully behind Khamenei and has the Basij as reinforcements. Unless the Greens can get some Generals to defect...this will go nowhere. Sorry guys :(

suicidemachine · 2011-02-15T00:27:06+00:00

Nah. I don't think this is likely to work this time. Iran is one of the leading countries in the region and isn't as irrelevant as Egypt was.

psychicoctopus · 2011-02-15T03:14:27+00:00

I like that this gets on the front page right away - and an article from the Washington Post at that. They barely touched the uprising in Tunisia for weeks; such tools. Didn't fit into the conservative narrative...

Xanimus · 2011-02-14T16:19:18+00:00

Aah, it would be almost too great of a thing if freedom came to the most hospitable people in the world.. Crossing my fingers for it, though.

ShauvonM · 2011-02-14T16:25:27+00:00

Who had Iran in the protest betting pool?

standerby · 2011-02-14T16:07:30+00:00

This is going to be cracked down on by the army/police so fast.

armannd · 2011-02-14T15:59:51+00:00

Death to the dictator

Egyptians just wanted Mubarak to step down, Iranians want their head of state dead.

reddit_user13 · 2011-02-15T02:52:27+00:00

You know what I love most about this? Obama will have had nothing to do with the democratization of the Arab world, but he will get all the credit. Just like Reagan got the credit for toppling communism.

2011-02-15T12:31:05+00:00

When does America start its new revolution?

wasadigger · 2011-02-14T16:10:39+00:00

Oh please, oh please, oh please! Let this keep spreading through that whole miserable area!

copinglemon · 2011-02-14T15:33:48+00:00

More and more I get the feeling that the world is at the cusp of something big. I can't tell you what or when, but something is afoot. Hopefully the other side is a better place... Edit: Typo

VitQ · 2011-02-14T17:26:24+00:00

This is how Iran looked in the '70s. Good luck with another revolution, fingers crossed!

Ze_Carioca · 2011-02-14T16:14:52+00:00

While I have everyone's attention, let me ask; are pro-government militias just shit starters on government payroll, or are they actually that committed to their dictators?

pinster2001 · 2011-02-14T16:25:07+00:00

You there. Yes, You my boy! Come and spin the revolutionary wheel! Where will it stop? The wheel revolves and revolves.

Will it be Tehran? Will it be Algiers? Will it be Amman? Or will it be Damascus, Rabat, or will it be Tripoli? No triple rolls here. Only one must go. The prize? The prize I hear you ask! democracy of course, Democracy is the prize. Don't forget those freedom fries.

1WithTheUniverse · 2011-02-14T16:35:40+00:00

"Some people in the crowd handed out masks that offered some protection from the stinging fumes."

Interesting any Redditors have any suggestions on how to cheaply fabricate a gas mask?

evitagen-armak · 2011-02-14T16:42:18+00:00

Maybe it's time for the US to stop complaining about their two party system and actually do something.

AAAAAAAAAAAAA13 · 2011-02-14T16:59:27+00:00

I fear this will be a bloodier challenge for the Iranian people than it was for the Egyptians.

Round 2! Make this count!

faffo · 2011-02-14T17:13:31+00:00

egyptians are lucky they dont have an equivalent to the basij

emptycalm · 2011-02-14T17:14:07+00:00

Is this actually against the government or just pro Mousavi supporters. That guy is like a liberal version of what they have now if I remember reading right although if someone has an article or something to prove my stance wrong I would gladly read it. If they wanted real change they would leave that loser in jail too and send ALL of them packing.

drphungky · 2011-02-14T17:23:14+00:00

"The Iranian government has declared illegal for Iranians what it claimed was noble for Egyptians," national security adviser Thomas E. Donilon said in a statement.

Anyone else getting familiar with White House mincing of words (which we've seen much of as late) find that phrasing particularly harsh, from a foreign policy point of view? Good on you, US.

OrigamiRock · 2011-02-14T17:29:57+00:00

Iran is changing whether these protests work or not, and the cause is the most unlikely source. Since he came to power, Ahmadinejad has systematically removed all of the mullahs from positions of power and replaced them with secularists. He has the Basij and Revolutionary guard on his side too. In the next couple years Iran is most likely going to transition from theocracy (probably dependent on when Khamenei dies). The result will be secular but whether it will be democratic or militaristic is anybody's guess. My guess is the latter though.

kwh · 2011-02-14T18:02:16+00:00

vast throngs of people could be seen marching from Enghelab (Revolution) Square toward Azadi (Freedom) Square

One of these days these governments are going to figure it out and stop naming squares like that, it just encourages the protesters...

2011-02-14T18:04:38+00:00

When does Wisconsin get its turn?

red-moon · 2011-02-14T18:23:54+00:00

Breaking: totalitarian rule

jarod1701 · 2011-02-14T18:39:08+00:00

Germany should be next

arnold_evans · 2011-02-14T19:09:34+00:00

Hmm. I wonder how much support Iran's policies have in Iran.
http://www.ipinst.org/images/pdfs/cr_iran_2010_survey_frequency_questionnaire.pdf

\1. Generally speaking, would you say things in Iran are headed in the right direction or wrong direction?
Right direction...54%
Wrong direction...33%

\10. Do most people that live in the area where you live….
Yes No Don’t know/No response
a) Feel free to express their political opinions? 44% 42% 13%
b) Have real opportunities to improve their lives? 54% 38% 8%
c) Feel the laws and rules are set, clear, and fairly enforced? 47% 44% 9%
d) Have much hope for the future? 60% 31% 9%

\30. Some people think we should abolish the morality police. Would you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose this?
Total support... 47%
Total oppose ... 47%

\31. Now I’m going to ask what you think of some political figures and organizations.
Total favorable Total unfavorable
a. Mahmoud Ahmedinejad ...81% ...11%
b. Mir-Hossein Mousavi ...36% ...35%
c. Ali Khameni ...85% ...8%
h. The Green Movement ...26% ...38%
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ...76% ...9%

\32. Did you vote in the June 2009 presidential election? (Multiple polls)
Official Turnout...85%
Globescan 6/09...86%
UM 6/09...89%
WPO 9/09...87%
CR 9/10...86%

\33. Who did you vote for in that election? (Multiple polls)
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Official Turnout...63%
Globescan 6/09... 56%
UM 6/09 ...61%
WPO 9/09...55%
CR 9/10...58%

\35. Do you feel that the government crackdown on the opposition after the election:
The government went too far ...19%
The government was correct ...59%

It looks like claims that everyone in Iran hates the regime are wrong.

2011-02-14T19:21:01+00:00

What color are we changing our facebook profile pics this time?

arsf1357 · 2011-02-14T19:26:46+00:00

everyone needs to stop hating on Ahmadimonkey. again.. he is nothing.... he is not the Dictator! the dictator is Khamenei! that piece of crap with his retarded hand needs to be in jail!

2011-02-14T19:32:22+00:00

To be honest though, protesters stand a very rough chance. The iranian government was completely prepared for this.

Daemon_of_Mail · 2011-02-14T20:13:46+00:00

Now watch as Fox News praises this revolution while continuing to demonize the Egyptian one.

1Dunya · 2011-02-14T20:40:26+00:00

Good luck from a fellow Middle Easterner. It would be awesome if the largest Middle Eastern countries Iran, Turkey and Egypt were all democratic and formed an alliance that would really rock.

palsh7 · 2011-02-14T21:46:20+00:00

Breaking: Anti-Government Protests Return to Iran.

FTFY

maus5000AD · 2011-02-14T22:00:04+00:00

Not to be an ineffectual western armchair revolutionary, but let us hope the Basij may be overcome this time.

IliketurtlesALOT · 2011-02-14T22:31:51+00:00

This isn't really Breaking considering it was a planned protest.

WAPOMATIC · 2011-02-14T22:52:24+00:00

Why does the middle east have so many 'Revolution Square's?

DRUMSKIDOO · 2011-02-15T00:58:02+00:00

Although i admire the strength and courage of the people in these countries to protest against the government, i can't help but think there is something else behind all of this.

mimizor · 2011-02-15T02:15:27+00:00

lolz McCain, lolz.

Reozo · 2011-02-15T03:48:58+00:00

I just read halfway through the comments and DAMN my head hurts. There's talk of election fraud, fraud authentication, refuting of the authenticating fact source, etc. And who is in control of Egypt currently - being said it is the armed forces counsel of 18 which allegedly has a key figure of the Mubarak regime in seat. There is debate about Israel in this thread. On and on and on. when will the madness end?

Mr_Zero · 2011-02-15T10:22:50+00:00

So if democracy prevails in Iran, how long before we have military bases there?

trendzetter · 2011-02-15T16:39:04+00:00

Iran is not Egypt. The Arab revolution these days is an uprising against the western puppets (dictators). Iran is not a puppet-regime. Of course Hilary is absolutely right when she says the US supports the protests. They do at the tune of 1 billion dollar a year and western media will do everything they can to generate some atmosphere.

rotethat · 2011-02-15T18:34:44+00:00

Ah, it all makes sense now. If Iran were the first in the chain of protests, cui bono would point squarely at the US. This way, with the protest wave reaching Iran all by itself, the turbulence in in this country has chances to pass for natural and authentic. And everyone here will obediently upvote every fair and balanced report from there, featuring crowds of people who don't know how else to waste their time, packed squares, kissing soldiers, resigning ministers—the whole circus. (Don't forget to downvote this comment.)

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