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Iranian Flag and its Strange Colors at Official Ceremonies

Green Movement’s Co-opting of Revolutionary, Islamic Symbols Poses Challenge for Regime

The Ahmadinejad administration's illegal action to mask the holy “greenness” of the Iranian flag illustrates the general effectiveness with which the opposition Green Movement has co-opted the Islamic Republic’s symbols and rhetoric for its own purposes.

Although the Iranian Constitution stipulates that the flag display the Islamic color green—signifying the Prophet Mohammad and his bloodline—the regime has become wary of the color’s current symbolism. Green, which was Mir Hossein...

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Central Bank’s ATM Instruction to Banks

Government Seeks to Instill Public Confidence in Banks Prior to Persian New Year

The government is concerned with instilling the public with confidence in the banking sector in the run-up to the Persian New Year, or Nowruz. Rumors had spread at the end of January about a run on the banks after the CBI ordered all banks to limit daily withdrawals to $15,000; people feared that the banks were running out of money....

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 00:22
Special Measures for Chaharshanbeh Suri Events

Security Forces Prepare to Crack Down during Ancient Persian Holiday Now a Venue for Youthful Rebellion

The Chaharshanbeh Suri celebrations, which begin on the evening of Tuesday, March 15, will be the next test of the regime’s ability to maintain public order and prevent anti-government activity. Given the regime’s state of readiness, opposition activity during the festival may be limited to isolated demonstrations in neighborhoods in Tehran and some of the other large cities in Iran. Chaharshanbeh Suri is an ancient Zoroastrian...

Saturday, March 6, 2010 - 11:35
Twenty-two Basij Districts to be Established in Greater Tehran

Regime Plans to Tighten Control over Areas in Capital with High Concentration of Opposition Supporters

The reorganization and expansion of the Greater Tehran Basij into 22 districts demonstrates the organization’s ascendancy in the hierarchy of the country’s security apparatus. In Tehran, the Basij appear to be taking more direct responsibility for security, as opposed simply to providing support to the city’s law enforcement forces.

By increasing the number of Basij districts and bases as planned, the Basijis will be better able to collect intelligence, police neighborhoods, and...

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - 08:00
America, Saudi Arabia Supporting Ba’athists in Order to Change Outcome of Iraqi Elections

Iranian Government News Site Highlights Ba’athist Bogeyman while Iran Backs Iraqi Shi’a Candidates Close to Tehran

The tone of this Iranian government news site’s article aligns with the strategy employed by Iraqi politicians close to Tehran who are using the Ba’athist bogeyman to marginalize rivals in the upcoming March 7 Iraqi parliamentary elections. Iran has a large stake in the outcome of the elections, and has been active in supporting Shi’a political parties friendly to Tehran and its...

Friday, February 26, 2010 - 16:06
Heads of Resistance Hold First Summit in Tehran

Iran to Hold Summit of “Palestinian Combatant Groups” to Reiterate its Steadfast Support Despite Post-election Turmoil

The decision to hold a summit of “Palestinian Combatant Groups” in Tehran represents a public diplomacy effort to demonstrate that the Islamic Republic’s support of the Palestinian resistance remains steadfast despite Iran’s post-election turmoil. Tehran and the Palestinian resistance groups likely will leverage the high-profile summit to issue stern anti-Israeli and US pronouncements, as well as pledge strengthened political and military cooperation.

The conservative Iranian Ghods...

Friday, February 26, 2010 - 14:50
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