The regime in Tehran did not authorise the gathering on February 14, as it was afraid that it would lead to big anti-Government protests, as happened in 2009. The billions of dollars paid annually to many Arab countries by the US is not something that they can close their eyes to; nor can they close their eyes to US demands and pressure. Iran's relationship with the US has been rocky for many years. Iran is suffering from harsh economic sanctions imposed by the US and its allies and the UN. Ahmedinajad has nothing to lose if the regime confronts the demonstrators or uses force against them. February 14 was Valentine's Day and many young people in Tehran and other big cities carried banners and posters calling for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's departure. In Iran, it wasn't an occasion for roses and chocolates. The uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt have been successful in achieving big political changes and this has encouraged the Iranians to once again take to the streets in protest against the regime, two years after the country's disputed June 2009 presidential elections. The demonstrations in Tunisia and even more so the ones in Egypt have been like a blood transfusion for the green movement and those people opposed to the regime. The revolutions in the Arab world and democratic movements in Middle Eastern countries have motivated Iranians, whose lives have been shattered since the presidential elections two years ago. Monday's demonstration, called for by opposition leaders Mir Hossien Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, was supposed to consist of a peaceful march to show the nation's solidarity and support for the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions. But the situation is different in Iran. There is no doubt that Iranians are unhappy with their rulers, lack of freedom, a bad economy, corruption and privileges granted to the supporters of the regime, while the regime likes to label the demonstrators and opposition as paid foreign agents who may be considered to be enemy combatants. These ‘foreign agents', in reality undergraduates, politicians and ordinary demonstrators involved in or members of opposition parties, are often handed long prison terms or sentenced to death. Iran may not be the only country in the ME or in the Muslim world which doesn't exercise freedom of speech, but, unlike many Arab nations, it does not receive billions in aid or have close ties with the US or its Western allies, who pressure Arab nations to show flexibility in confronting protesters. Former President Mubarak was under pressure from many Western countries, especially the US, not to use force against protesters and respect their wish for change and democracy. Iran, on the other hand, resists all external pressure and imposes fear by not hesitating to punish demonstrators or execute drug traffickers and those charged with spying for foreign countries such as Israel. Even now, Iran's official news channels are reporting that the revolution in Egypt is actually an anti-Israeli and anti-American movement aiming to establish an Islamic state in Egypt! The Islamic Republic of Iran is quite aware of the influence and impact of the revolution in Egypt on the Iranian people. But it would be difficult for such a revolution to succeed in Iran, because the regime does not hesitate to beat and kill beat demonstrators. It is the Revolutionary Guard and Basij, whose primary purpose is to protect the regime and preserve its interests, who do this. Their job is not to defend the nation or the people. They exist to guarantee the continuation of Ayatollah Khamenei's leadership and legacy. What people expressed on February 14 in the streets of Tehran was their hatred for the Supreme Leader, whom they compared with Mubarak, asking him to step down. Significant changes won't happen easily in Iran, as long as Ayatollah Khamenei remains in power. Entekhabifard is an Iranian journalist based in New York. She contributed this article to The Egyptian Gazette.
