Iran: Ripe for Change
The protests in Iran continue as they have spread beyond Tehran and are now taking place in at least seven other cities. It doesn't appear that these protests have the same momentum as other protests held just a few years ago and it is likely that these protests will probably end very soon. Still, they have sent a clear message to the ruling parties in Iran that their rule might not be tolerated too much longer by it's citizens and these protests might be the beginning of the end for hard-line clerical regime. Sure, protests have happened in the past and the ruling clerics are still in control of the country but this time it is a little bit different. Why?
It is different this time because not only are there protests, but also there is gaining international pressure on Iran caused mainly by their nuclear program. This has forced an unusual amount of awareness about Iran, something it hasn't experienced for over two decades. Now Iran and it's "peaceful" nuclear program are under heavy scrutiny by the International Atomic Energy Agency as well as the United States and a host of other countries and they are all keeping a very close watch. Many are calling for more intrusive inspections into Iran's nuclear program but Iran is saying that it will allow that only if it is granted access to peaceful nuclear technology from the west. It is doubtful that countries such as the United States and Great Britain will allow their technology to be shared with Iran.
The United States has been accused, by Iranian clerics and most notably the Ayatollah, of interfering in the protests, possibly inciting them through the use of satellite TV broadcasts. This, I believe, is just an excuse for the Ayatollah to divert attention away from the real problem at hand, which is that his hard-line Islamic government is really beginning to fail and the people of Iran want a democratic government. I think that many can see through the ruse that the Ayatollah has made and they know that so many are displeased with Iran's government that soon it will be time for change. Unfortunately, it is assured that the Ayatollah will put up a long and protracted fight before he gives up his Islamic government.
The protesters are also calling on the pro-reformist President Mohammad Khatami to resign from his position since he has failed to deliver on his promises of government reforms. We have to keep in mind that Khatami has attempted to introduce reforms but has been stopped by the conservative element within the government. Still he could be more persistent with his attempts on reform and he could support the anti-government protesters a little more than he has. After all, they are calling for his resignation. Khatami appears as if he is either in with the Ayatollah's way of thinking or he is too scared and timid to go against the Ayatollah. Either way he isn't as popular now as when the people of Iran elected him.
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