0600 GMT: Headlines from Iran today will be marked by the ceremonies for the 23rd anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Khomeini. The regime will be hoping for large, enthusiastic turnouts --- "Every year, millions of Iranians from across the country travel to Tehran to pay tribute to the late founder of the Islamic Republic" --- to testify to public support, even amidst the current economic difficulties.
The recent history of the event is notable for an episode of division, rather than unity. Two years ago, Seyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Ayatollah, was heckled and forced to abandon his speech by supporters of President Ahmadinejad.
No such distractions today. The Supreme Leader has used his speech to project Iran's regional influence, "Imam Khomeini's Islamic movement is the Islamic world of today", and Seyed Hassan Khomeini is due to speak later.
Posted via email from lissping
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.