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Iran: Nuclear Crisis, Broken Satellite Dishes & Jailed Students

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Iran, Freedom of Speech, Governance, Human Rights, International Relations, Media & Journalism, Politics, War & Conflict

According to the media, Iran has delivered its formal response to the demand by world powers that it suspend uranium enrichment in exchange for a package of incentives [1]. World media and bloggers, once more, are talking about the Iranian nuclear crisis [2] and its outcome. Let's look at a few Iranian blogs:

Hoping for dialogue

Dowdani thinks all problems and differences between Iran and world powers can be solved in a rational way and hopes that dialogue takes place between Iran and the world powers [3] [Fa]. He adds

اختلاف‌هایی که همه را می‌توان به روی میز مذاکره کشاند و خرد انسانی را به خدمت پاسخیابی به آنها درآورد. یکی از آنها هم

چگونگی کاربرد فناوری هسته‌ای در کشور ماست….حکومت ایران اما تنها یک سوی گفتگوست اگر خواست مردم ایران نادیده گرفته شود،. یک چیز برای من روشن است. کسانی که مردم ایران را بر دو راهی ناچار همه یا هیچ بگذارند، تنها به هیچ خواهند رسید، به هیچ!.
Differences (problems) can be put on the negotiating table and human reason can be used to find solutions to them. One of these differences is the use of nuclear technology in our country. . . . The Iranian government is only on one side of this dialogue (negotiation). . . and the Iranian people's request should not be ignored. . . . One thing is clear to me, if they put the Iranian people before a choice between everything or nothing, it is clear to me, they will get nothing!.

Dowdani also says that the US has had other historic differences with Iran and the nuclear crisis is just a pretext for them.

Nedaye Emrouz says if sanctions are imposed on Iran, then country will be isolated, adding that Iran holds an important Lebanese Hezbollah card in its hands [4] [Fa].

Irane Emrouz writes that so far, G 5+1 have not made a declaration about the Iranian proposition, and that shows we can still hope that dialogue takes place [5] [Fa]. Emrouz adds that sanctions still can be imposed, because Iran has not accepted suspending its uranium enrichment project as UN Security Council has asked.

The nuclear crisis may be a reason behind the recent crackdown on satellite dishes to control information channels [6]. After filtering the internet and closing down many journals, popular satellite dishes have become a new target. A couple of bloggers share with us their feelings and photos from this cat-and-mouse game.

You cannot watch what you wish for

Shabgard cannot understand why Iran should be different from the rest of the world. The blogger writes

اگر دیدن این جور کانال‌ها بد است، چرا راه اندازی می‌شود؟ اگه خوب است، چرا فقط در ایران مردم نباید ببینند؟
.

!ای کاش سران مملکتی قبل از هر تصمیمی کمی فقط کمی به حقوق این ملت فکر می‌کردند.

If watching these channels is bad why then they are launched? If it is good why are only people in Iran not supposed to watch them?. . . it is better authorities think a little bit about people’s rights before taking a decision !

Shabgard adds that in the streets you can find easily CDs to watch “bad” films (porno) and authorities do not bother to stop them [7] [Fa].

Behesht has published several interesting photos to show [8]what security agents did to satellite dishes in Pardisan, his neighbourhood. Behesht says ironically that fortunately, these brothers work one day per year to come destroying our dishes. They want to send us to paradise [8]! For a couple of hours our area had become like Palestine and dishes were falling on our heads!

Lesser known Students targeted

Broken satellite dishes are only one sign of growing pressure on freedom in Iran. Student activists have become a target again and several werer arrested recently.

Anjomaniha says that in Ahvaz, Mehdi Makaremi was arrested, though there has been no news as to why he and nobody has been able to visit him [9] [Fa]. Makaremi was collaborating with several local magazines in Khuzestan province [10].

Kuy writes that lesser known student activists have become a new target for arrest [11] [Fa]. Two other student activists, Derakhshandi and Abolfazle Jahandar (who is also a blogger), were arrested recently.