HuffPo– The foreign media and western states are confused and puzzled as to how to interpret the Iranian election on June 12th. Over the past few days I’ve been speaking with many journalists in Tehran who normally go there for one or two weeks on assignment. Many of them, initially, believed that Ahmadinejad’s declared re-election was similar in nature to his first term election in 2005. Meaning that he had successfully mobilized his base of poor people and conservatives and that the reformists and Iranian middle class had, once again, lost the election. But recent development tells us that this is not the real story.
So, what are the sources of confusion? What went wrong and why are people angry and un-accepting of the results? Here are some essential questions that one might ask in order to fully understand the issues at hand: Continue reading A coup Manual: What We should Know About Iran’s Election? →

Entekhab News Agency has received the following message from those close to Mir Hossein Mousavi:

“Regarding the voices of concern raised by Iranian people, I would like to say that my family and I are well, and despite immense pressure from authorities on me to accept the results of this fradulent election, I have gone to Interior Ministry in order to claim my rightful win, to protect people’s votes, and to request nullification of the elections. Also, I am prohibited from appearing among people and contacting or talking to them, and I am under observation. On the other hand, my elections headquarters has been sealed and members of Participation Front have been arrested. I ask the dear people of Iran to stay on the scene, avoid any confrontation which will only benefit the lawless and cheating group.” Mir Hossein Mousavi has also requested a march permit for tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. [for his supporters to march] between Enghelab and Azadi squres.

 Former President Khatami seems to be attacked by a few of Ahmadinejad’s supporters. Look at the hand on his shoulder.   Source.

There have been widespread rumors regarding an email sent by a group of employees at MOI’s Election Headquarters about the true result of the election. This is not confirmed by any reliable sources. But according the other news on this topic, and in light of  the way in which the election results were announced, it doesn’t really seem that far off. According to this email (which is published in a reformist website as well):

“- Initial results announced by MOI were based only on 500,000 received ballots.

– All 9 communiques of the MOI were written and planned in advance; numbers were faked via a software program which distributed vote counts among polling stations in such a way to make everything look plausible.

– True count: Mousavi – 21.3 million votes (57.2%); Ahmadinejad – 10.5 million (28%); Rezai – 2.7 million votes (7.2%); and Karroubi – 2.2 million votes (6%).

– Voter turnout is at 37.4 million or 81%.

– Invalidated votes are at 600,000.

Thousands of Iranians have taken to their roof tops chanting “Down with Dictator”. This is a tradition in Iran to use the roof tops as a safe place to chant against what people object to.  This has been done in order to show solidarity with Reformist candidates. I talked to different people from different parts of the city and learned that many  people participated in this symbolic support. (Watch the video)

Iranian websites have reported the resignation of 150 faculty members from Sharif University, one of the most prestigious universities in the Middle East. They have said the fraud in the recent election is the reason for such a decision. (Source)

A young man who seems is talking on his cell says that the police is using tear-gas, in Shiraz: