Iranian Regime Shows Signs of Desperation // FAI ONLINE

The Iranian regime is reportedly preparing to execute dozens of protesters and has turned to Russia for help in repressing street demonstrations which have continued for more than 80 days. An audio recording of an internal meeting between leaders of Iran’s ruling parliamentary coalition was leaked on Saturday, which includes discussion about criminal charges against at least 80 of the more than 18,000 protestors in custody. The charges considered include “Moharebeh” (for those who “war against God”) and “corruption on Earth.” Both charges carry the death penalty in the Iranian judicial system. Ten of the 80 detainees under consideration are reportedly children.

Meanwhile, the regime has approached the Russian Government for assistance with repressing street protests, requesting that Moscow dispatch “advisors,” anti-riot vehicles, and equipment to Iran as soon as possible. Iran and Russia have cooperated more closely with each other in recent months, as the Islamic Republic has dispatched its military “advisors” to Ukraine in an initiative to support Vladimir Putin’s military with Iranian drones and missiles. Tehran has also called upon Lebanese Hezbollah to assist with quelling street protests, indicating the regime’s belief that the popular movement is strong and durable enough to require foreign assistance.

Despite increasing measures by the regime to crack down on Iranian citizens, some regime officials have also made public statements which can be interpreted as conciliatory towards the protest movement. On Friday, Iran’s attorney general, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, distanced the judiciary system from Iran’s hated Basiji (morality police), claiming, “the morality police have nothing to do with the judiciary system. The same source that created it in the past, from the same place it has shut down. Of course, the judiciary system will continue its surveillance of social behaviors across society." Western press agencies interpreted Montazeri’s comments as meaning that the Basiji had been disbanded, but Persian-speaking journalists and sources clarified that the attorney general was not claiming to have shuttered the Basiji, and pointed out that enforcement of Islamic law regarding the hijab and other restrictions on Iranian women will continue. Persian-language media outside of Iran described Montazeri’s comments as "untransparent and vague." The regime has made such “vague” statements in the past to divide its opposition at home and appease its apologists abroad. No evidence has been presented which would indicate that the Basiji have actually been disbanded.

Also Friday, a member of Iran’s parliamentary security committee, Shahriar Haydari, suggested that 90% of street demonstrators were actually protesters, and only 10% were “rioters,” the term used by the regime to broadly describe all protesters in the past. Although this comment would seem to admit the legitimacy of the protest movement, it could also indicate the regime’s intention to imprison or execute 10% of the 18,000 protesters in custody (almost 2,000 people). Saturday’s leaked audio recordings which discuss the execution of 80 detainees would support this interpretation.

Meanwhile, an Israeli cyber-intelligence firm has found published documents on the dark web detailing the addresses and phone numbers of members of the Iranian Basiji, indicating that dissidents are enabling the Iranian public to take personal revenge against their oppressors. Several members of Iran’s Basiji and Revolutionary Guard have already been murdered in apparent retaliation for violence against protesters. Analysts have warned that a growing trend of anti-regime violence will likely trigger a bloody regime crackdown, and possibly a full-scale insurgency or civil war inside Iran.

We implore the Maranatha global family to join us in intercession for the nation of Iran. We pray that the truth and reality of the Iranian regime would be put on display for the world to see, we pray for the ongoing protests against the regime to remain non-violent, and most of all, no matter what happens, we pray that the Iranian underground church would continue to stand as a witness of grace and truth to the Iranian people, as disciples continue to multiply across Iran and beyond.

Maranatha.