Iran: The Mullahs Pull a Fast One

The streets of Tehran have erupted into violence. In what can only be described as a shock win, after the huge voter turn out, the Iranian tyrant Ahmadinejad has been declared the victor with an alleged landslide result. However, the opposition parties, and the people claim that the poll result was rigged. It seems that not even in their own provinces did the opposition receive a majority vote, according to the Interior Ministry.

The question is: What does this mean for the world at large, to have Ahmadinejad returned as President? First of all, it must be noted that this man is an Holocaust denier. Second, according to his rhetoric, he wants to wipe Israel off the map. Third, he will continue to push ahead to obtain nuclear weapons including long range missiles that can reach Israel. Fourth, it means that he will continue to fund both Syria and Hezbollah.

On the other hand, it must be remembered that in a country such as Iran, when people talk of reform, it is not the same as reform in the USA, Great Britain or Australia. To be liberal in Iran is not the same as having liberal tendencies in Australia or the USA. What it really means that the opposition would have been prepared to wind back some of the restrictions introduced by the more conservative types which has led to women being forced to cover up, and when they refuse they are severely beaten over the head. It must be kept in mind, for example that the main opposition contender actually started the nuclear program!!

The riots on the streets of Tehran and in the provinces are a sign that the people are fed up with the control that is being exerted over their lives by the theocracy. It is the mullahs, under the Supreme leader Khamenei, who control every aspect of the daily lives of Iranians. It was Khamenei who picked those who would run in the Presidential election, and it was Khamenei who has declared that Ahmadinjad is the winner, even though the large turnout was due to people voting against and not for him. The huge voter turnout was something like 85% of the population, which was 30% higher than the previous presidential election in Iran. They did not turn out to vote for the incumbent President.

The question that is uppermost on my mind therefore, is what will happen next? Some of the moderate leaders have already been arrested by the regime. The regime thugs have already tried to use their batons on the rioters, although in some of the available footage these thugs were chased away by the hordes. There has been rocks thrown at the police, with the police throwing the rocks back again, plus there has been gunshots. There is a rumour that more than 50 people have been killed by the Ahmadinejad thugs. Will the people back off now? Or will the rioting continue? Will the regime attempt a Tiennamen Square style of oppression? We will just have to wait and see how it unfolds.