The Mood in Tehran

I've been watching some news via satellite in Tehran, although only Al Jazeera and BBC were broadcasting last night. The areas of Tehran I visited which usually have protests were not filled with any protestors yesterday. It's hard to tell where the protests are going at this point, but without a doubt they're getting deadlier and deadlier.

Now, the next step will be to hear the decision of the Guardian Council's 10% recount of disputed ballots. The recount is taking place with representatives of presidential nominees present. While this seems legitimate, I don't think this will appease protestors -- it will be impossible to remove all doubt. 

This morning's Tehran Times, an english publication inside Iran, had this following headline: "Candidates and followers are different from rioters: Larijani." Larijani is the current speaker of Iran's parliament, or Majles. This isn't the first time a high official has made such a statement, but I think it is extremely important to reiterate; it shows that people look at opposition inside Iran as legitimate as long as they aren't violent and there are powerful elements inside Iran which are serious about compromise and recognizing dissent.  

It's crucial for protestors to try and use different routes other than rioting. I've been seeing some images of Iranians being ravaged and it's making my stomach churn. The violence really has to stop. And at this point, violence is really what the demonstrations have turned into. Opposition is legitimate, it just has to be carried out properly.