The Struggle in Iran Continues

It is not over, till it's over, and as yet the struggle for freedom in Iran is not over. The Supreme Leader and his spokesmen (they've all been men) have made it clear that in their eyes, the issue is closed, the election is certified, and anyone who raises questions is likely operating under foreign influence. The latest charges are that presidential challenger Mir Hussein Mousavi is an American agent -- and that such traitors should be punished.

But, there are signs that the reform movement has some important supporters, supporters that are part of the senior most parts of the clerical establishment -- theologians living in the holy city of Qom. The New York Times reports that the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum has declared the election results illegitimate and that the new/old government is therefore also illegitimate. This is a major rebuff of the Supreme Leader's authority. It will give important support to the challengers, and offer cover for them to continue their protests. Will this be enough to overturn the election, we simply don't know.

We can offer our support and our prayers, but this is a struggle that the Iranian people must undertake. The Iranian nation has a long and distinguished heritage. It's culture rich, and its people open to the world. The vast majority of Iran's people were born after the Revolution and after the hostage taking of the 1970s. A goodly number have a high regard for the US and the West. They don't wish to give up their Islamic heritage, but they want more freedom and they want dialogue with the west not confrontation.

One of the things that we in the West need to understand is that the Iranian people are just as proud of their nation as we are of ours. They may not all like or agree with the leadership, but they are nationalists. We need to keep that in mind as we take steps either of confrontation or engagement.