3rd February 2010
Iranian Events Fast Approaching Climax as US Gets Serious, Mousavi Gets Serious, and Ahmadinejad Scoffs
Mark Hanson
Since the beginning of this year there has been a remarkable increase in tensions both within and without Iran. Mousavi declares his willingness to die, Obama gets frustrated with the impasse on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Iranian authorities crack down on protesters, including the hanging of opponents.
Now the tensions rise yet further, as Iran prepares for the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on February 11th.
Mousavi has made an almost explicit attack on the Iranian authorities, effectively calling the Government a “tyranny”, which many analysts view as a goad to the regime to kill him. If they dare. Mousavi holds much popular support, and another high-profile martyr for freedom and democracy could be the catalyst for even greater unrest.
Yet further crackdowns are expected should the pro-reformists take to the streets again, and with American ships and missiles now building up off Iran, this situation is fast becoming a tinderbox next to the bonfire.
In amongst this posturing and high tension, Ahmadinejad seems to be mocking the US in now offering to give the West Iran’s uranium for further enrichment.
Iran is now a dangerous nation, and as the West still remains silent regarding the protests within, more voices are starting to call for military action from without.
