Iran Focus
London, 10 Jan – On the thirteenth day of the uprising, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei acknowledged the continuation of the uprising. His tone seemed to underscore the fact that the Iranian Resistance and the PMOI/MEK are the alternative to his regime.
Khamenei claimed that the MEK, “had been ready since months ago … Since several months ago (they were ready) to organize, and meet this person and that; and to select some people inside the country, find them and help them, so they would come and call on the people. They announced their call, and made the slogan ‘No to high prices’. Well, this is a slogan that everyone likes. They managed to attract some people with this slogan. And then, they could come to the scene and pursue their goals, and make the people follow them.”
He referred to the uprising that swept the country as “fireworks and devious work.” He also said, “The enemies’ agents will not give up.”
These comments were surprising, as last week, IRGC commander Jafari announced that the uprising had ended, and President Rouhani told the Turkish president that the unrest would end in two days. Jafari said, “Today, we can say that this is the end of the 96 sedition,” referring to the current year – 1396 – in the Persian calendar. He said “security preparedness and people’s vigilance” had led to the defeat of “enemies” and that the Guards had only intervened in a “limited” way in three provinces.
Khamenei admitted to the critical situation in the country, tried to portray them as insignificant. He said, “Troublesome funds or some of the troublesome financial institutions, some of the troublesome organs” have dissatisfied some people. “Those popular demands or popular appeals or popular protests have always existed in this country, and they exist now too. … Nobody opposes them either. These words should be taken into consideration and should be heard, and they should be responded to as much as possible.”
State-run media claimed that Khamenei had spoken to the people of Qom, but according to an article published by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) he addressed a group of government clerics and selected agents. The NCRI writes, “The slogan of the people of Qom, like the rest of the people throughout Iran, has been nothing but ‘Death to Khamenei and ‘Feel shame Khamenei, let go of the country’.”
The regime should learn from their predecessors. Excuses do not work anymore. The Iranian people are crying out for change.
