WHY AREN’T THE PROTESTS FOR JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY EXTINGUISHING IN IRAN?

By mahdavi nasim

Disappointed by the deteriorating economic condition and rampant official corruption, the suppressed Iranian people poured into the streets and demanded radical political changes in Iran. The events led to widespread protests that astounded the world and shook the pillars of the power in the country.

Impotent to respond to the legitimate demands of people, as it was expected, the tyranny regime answered back the protesters with an iron fist by security forces and Basij Para militias affiliated to the IRGC. The crackdown’s toll rose to 50 and about 8000 arrests, more than 20 were tormented to death in the custody in different cities according to the reliable sources inside Iran.

The chief commander of IRGC, general Jafari, declared the end of protests, but there are numerous stating concerns over the continuation of the protests by the senior officials.

US expands sanctions on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The US Treasury announced the expansion of sanctions on Irans IRGC

APA, Oct. 31, 2017 - The US Treasury Department has announced the expansion of sanctions on Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which were imposed on October 13 over IRGC allegedly 'supporting terrorism,' a claim strongly denied by Tehran.
 
The sanctions affect the Revolutionary Guard's Aerospace Force Self Suffiency Jihad Organization, Air Force, Al-Ghadir Missile Command, and the Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization, according to the Treasury's press release.
 
Moreover, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Mohammad Ali Jafari and four senior officers have also been placed on the US sanctions list.
 
Iran has pledged to 'strongly respond to any action against its military forces,' while the Revolutionary Guards commander, Mohammad Ali Jafari, vowed to equate US forces with Daesh terrorist group (ISIS, banned in Russia) before the sanctions were imposed. According to Iranian government spokesman Mohammad Baker, labelling the IRGC a 'terrorist group' would mean Washington itself supports terrorists.

Iran: the world wushu champion dies after was pulled in a machine

A 28-year-old paper factory worker lost his life on Monday October, 2, 2017 as parts of his hand and head were pulled into a machine in Rusha Caspian Paper Factory in Zanjan, in northwestern Iran. Mohammad Reza Jafari was the world wushu Champion.

According to the state-run ILNA news agency report on August 23, 2017, every month, 5 to 6 workers in Iran either lost their lives or became maimed in various accidents
“Deaths caused by work accidents in the four months of this year rose 89 percent compared to the same period last year, the casualty rate ranged from 17 to 34 people.” The state-run Mehr news agency cited The Mazandaran Prosecutor General on September 11, 2017.

MATTIS' REMARKS UNSETTLE IRANIAN REGIME

MATTIS' REMARKS UNSETTLE IRANIAN REGIME

When US Secretary of Defense James Mattis made remarks regarding the importance of regime change in Iran, it provoked extreme reactions from the Iranian regime.Mattis’ recent remarks is another episode in a series of such statements. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson first raised the issue of peaceful regime change at a congressional hearing on June 14th.

On July 7th, John Bolton, former US ambassador to the UN said the solution for the Middle East is regime change in Iran. US President Donald Trump and US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, have made very similar statements.

After only 6 months into its term, the new US administration’s positions and actions in regards to Iran is causing the regime to express its concerns through its media.

According to a recent article by Mahmoud Hakamian, there are two reasons Mattis’ remarks had such a powerful effect, “One, the very nature of such words emphasizing on regime change, and two, such a senior US official making these remarks.” He adds, “When the US Secretary of Defense, being a member of the President’s national security team that decides on policies, emphasizes on regime change in Iran, it is obvious how important the matter is. Why didn’t Iran simply react through a few words from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”

In the words of the IRGC commander Mohammad Ali  this regime is actually a regional power, who boasts about the victory in Mosul as being possible only because of Iran’s efforts. Then, why have Mattis’ remarks been met with such vehemence?

The answer is, that remarks containing “regime change” is another version of saying “overthrow”, hitting Tehran in a sensitive spot: its instability.

The US Senate overwhelmingly approved major sanctions against Iran with a 98-2 vote. Meanwhile, White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders stressed that the administration will continue its policy of increasing sanctions and pressure on Tehran.

Maryam Rajavi, leader of the Iranian opposition, was the keynote speaker for their annual rally on July 1st in Paris. Mrs. Rajavi emphasized on three major subjects:

1. The need to overthrow the Iranian regime
2. This necessity being in reach
3. Iranian regime has an alternative that could materialize this necessity

Tehran knows where the main threat comes from…

In an interesting side-note, on Tuesday, when Iran’s state TV was covering Mattis’ remarks, they unexpectedly aired the words of US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who emphasized the necessity of supporting the Iranian opposition.