Interview on Iranian Election of June 2009
An (field work) Interview on Iranian Election of June 2009
with Ahmad Reza Taheri (a Research Associate at the Yashwantro Chavan National Center of International Security & Defense Analysis, University of Pune), by Margherita Marincola (a post graduation student of International School of Broadcasting & Journalism at the Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune).
Margherita Marincola: Can you tell us in brief about the Iran's situation since president Ahmadinejad administration?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: Ahmadinejad came to power as the president of Iran in 2005. Immediately after coming to power, he started criticizing the policies of the western powers such as the United States of America. He developed some different ideas which could not be taken by the west. For example, he called for the state of Israel to be wiped off the map, and such and such issues. As a result of his views, Iran faced with more economic sanctions from the west.
Margherita Marincola: What happened in the immediate aftermath of the presidential election in June 2009?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: In this context, one can say that there are two strong political blocks in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Apparently, one block headed by president Ahmadinejad and the other one by Mir Hossain Moosavi, the former Prime Minister of Iran. The supporters of Moosavi believe that Ahmadinejad is not the legitimate president of Iran, because of the fraud in the election. However, the supporters of Ahmadinejad claim the otherwise, saying that he is the legitimate president of Iran and that there were no frauds in the election. The supporters of both parties especially those of Mir Hossain Moosavi were taken to the streets to criticize the election. On the other hand, security forces including the revolutionary guards and Basij rushed to the streets to pacify the crisis.
Margherita Marincola: Did you see the demonstration in Tehran yourself, if so, how it looked like?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: I happened to be in Tehran for couple of days, but I did not go outside to see the demonstration. I used to follow the news. So, as you may know, sometimes there were peaceful gatherings and sometimes clashes between security forces and the demonstrators.
Margherita Marincola: How is the situation now, I mean do the people demonstrate as strongly as before?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: The conditions are better now as demonstrators do not take a very active role as before.
Margherita Marincola: But, we are hearing from various reports that the situation is still intense?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: Demonstration has taken another form. For instance, cleric Karobi has disclosed and presented a number of files indicating torture and rape of some of these detainees by unknown guards. However, the establishment or concerned authorities have regarded them as false or fake reports. This has created a tension between judiciary and allies of Karobi. In turn, this has led to a matter of great concern for many.
Margherita Marincola: To what extent you believe in foreign intelligence influence in Iran?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: It cannot be denied totally. In fact, foreign influence has been there since the time of Reza Shah and even before that. There are some elements of foreign intelligence services which trying to take advantage of the crisis in Iran. For example, a number of ethnic groups are being supported by the foreign powers.
Margherita Marincola: What is the status of the media in Iran, are they free?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: If we compare the Iranian media with the western media, there are some differences. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the media is not free to go beyond its limits. It should be within the sphere of the Islamic codes, as has been prescribed by the establishment in the constitution of the Islamic Republic.
Margherita Marincola: What is your prediction about the present political scenario in Iran, what can happen next?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: It is known to every one that today the country is facing threat. This threat particularly has increased in the post presidential election of June 2009. Two major groups are fighting against each other. If the situation continues like this, the consequences can be grave.
Margherita Marincola: Many Iranians believe that religion and politics should be separated, what is your idea on the issue in Iran?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: I believe that if we separate religion from politics, religion can save its face and can survive in the contemporary world especially when there are attacks on Islam from the western states/societies. But, the issue is that in Islam religion and politics are mixed, in fact, politics is already in Islam. So according to Islam and its teachings, these two cannot be separated.
Margherita Marincola: Many Iranians wish the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. What about you, do you wish its overthrow?
Ahmad Reza Taheri: I do not wish the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. It is because I believe that revolution can paralyze the economy of the country. We should learn from Iraq and Afghanistan. It will take a very long time for these states to stand on their own feet. But, what I think is that the Islamic Republic should be more flexible. This is for the interest of both state and society.
A fieldwork interview on Iranian Election of June 2009, with Ahmad Reza Taheri (a Research Associate at the YC-National Center of International Security & Defense Analysis, University of Pune), by Margherita Marincola (a post graduation student of International School of Broadcasting & Journalism at the Maharashtra Institute of Technology in Pune), on 15 September 2009, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., University of Pune, India.
