In a conference call with policy makers and journalists, three of RFE/RL's leading Iran experts discussed the political situation in the country one year after the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Golnaz Esfandiari, Robert Tait, and Mehrdad Mirdamadi analyzed the state of Iran's opposition Green Movement, various splits within the establishment, and the politics of the country's religious leadership in the 45 minute question and answer session.
Listen to the call (read the transcript):
Robert Tait, former Tehran Correspondent for "The Guardian" newspaper before his expulsion from Iran in 2005, expressed his surprise that any demonstrations took place atall, noting the presence of more than 50,000 police and militia in the streets of Tehran. Mehrdad Mirdamadi agreed, pointing out that the overwhelming show of force by the regime showed that "the government's police and security forces took this demonstration more seriously than the opposition."
Golnaz Esfandiari noted that government officials had closed the late Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri's offices in Qom on the heels of a visit to the religious center by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. Mirdamadi saw Khomeini's visit as an attempt "to put an end to any kind of blunt criticism coming from Qom."
Stay tuned to the RFE/RL website for updates on Iran, and for information on future conference calls and events with RFE/RL experts.
Listen to the call (read the transcript):
Robert Tait, former Tehran Correspondent for "The Guardian" newspaper before his expulsion from Iran in 2005, expressed his surprise that any demonstrations took place at
The government's police and security forces took this demonstration more seriously than the opposition.
Golnaz Esfandiari noted that government officials had closed the late Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri's offices in Qom on the heels of a visit to the religious center by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. Mirdamadi saw Khomeini's visit as an attempt "to put an end to any kind of blunt criticism coming from Qom."
Stay tuned to the RFE/RL website for updates on Iran, and for information on future conference calls and events with RFE/RL experts.