Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has called on political leaders in Egypt to follow the “rightful demands” of their people.
“Iran expects Egyptian officials to listen to the voice of their Muslim people, respond to their rightful demands and refrain from exerting violence by security forces and police against an Islamic wave of awareness that has spread through the country in form of a popular movement,” Mehmanparast said Saturday.
—Press TV, January 29
Of course in Iran itself non-Islamic waves of awareness are strictly forbidden.
A photo purportedly from the streets of Tehran today published by Al-Arabiya, via Tehran Bureau:
Tehran Bureau reports:
5:05 p.m. More reports coming in of Isfahan protests, and now confirmation of protests in Kermanshah, as well. Estimates in those two cities and Shiraz are of thousands of participants.
And we’ve confirmed from multiple sources that tear gas was indeed used in Tehran’s Valiasr Square to disperse protesters. Additional clashes are being reported there.
Hafte Tir Square has also been taken over by security forces like Azadi Square and protesters are finding it difficult to navigate through.
Thousands are silently marching on Enghelab Avenue toward Azadi Square. Clashes are breaking out along the route, with protesters being beaten by security forces, but the silent march continues.
Also:
From homylafayette: “I personally heard this over the radio as a person on a Tehran street was being interviewed: ‘Mubarak, Ben Ali! Nobateh Seyyed Ali!’ (Mubarak, Ben Ali! Now Seyed Ali [Khamenei’s] turn!). I also heard: ‘Nezami joda sho! Ba mellat hamseda sho!’ (Military, separate [from them]! Join your voice with the nation’s!). Also, the sounds of cheers.”
A popular chant spins out new variations already. Now on the streets of Tehran, we’re hearing, “Khamenei haya kon! Mubarak ro negah kon!” (Khamenei, have some shame! Look at Mubarak!)
Update: Valid questions have been raised about whether the above photo is from today, given that many of the people in it are wearing shirtsleeves and that the weather in Tehran is cold today.
Here is a video, also reportedly from today, in which people are dressed for the weather:
Further update: Iranian.com has more videos from today.
Additional update: Some people– who are being swept aside by the tide of recent events– aren’t going to like this chant (as Iranian demonstrators attack a Basij militia member trying to take away a poster): “Na Ghaza! Na Lobnan! Tunis o Misr o Iran!” (Not Gaza! Not Lebanon! Tunisia and Egypt and Iran!)
