Twitter might be changing Iran

Iran is no doubt a regional power that can’t be messed with easily. Thirty years after the Shah fled the country because of the Islamic Revolution; which was then supported by the CIA, the Supreme Leader of Iran (Ali Khamenei) is still the highest authority and is still responsible for delineation and supervision of the general policies. After the Supreme Leader, the President is the next highest authority.

Iran is a Democratic Dictatorship State as I name it. The country enjoys a good amount of liberalism and freedom that doesn’t exist in the Arab World. The men and women of Iran get to choose their leadership, but the Supreme Leader is still in control of everything. Women can vote, work anywhere, drive, travel, ski in the mountains but cannot nominate themselves in the elections. Iran is the largest democracy in the Middle East and the second after Lebanon, but minorities like Baha’is, Homosexuals and Armenians are still subject to oppression, persecution and the threat of being jailed or killed.

The results of the last elections that were held last Friday were the center of world attention. Ahmadinejad won the second term in the elections (66%) while the moderate candidate Mousavi lost. It is important for countries like the US, Israel, Gulf States and the EU to see a moderate government leading Iran to reform and improved relations with the West. The Nuclear threat, Oil prices, and Iran’s involvement in the Iraqi mess are strategic concerns for many Western countries. While Mousavi accused the government of fraud and deception in the elections; since 14 million votes were not counted, his supporters took their despair and anger to the streets of Tehran. Most of the demonstrators are youth who are seeking reform and change. This middle class age group has always been the flame that flares any revolution or uprising. But I don’t see this as a revolt against the Islamic state, something that many people are looking forward to, but a slow reform process for change and modernization that should take its course. This is an inevitable internal path that should not be imposed by external powers or international threats. Time will eventually change Iran.

While neighboring key Arab countries remain negatively silent on the elections and riots, one Egyptian blogger, who writes anonymously under the user name "Louza," posted a picture of a demonstration in Tehran, adding, "Sigh, will the Arab world follow?"

The government still controls the media and access to Internet sites such as (You Tube) & (Facebook) that are currently inaccessible. It has blocked International media from covering the riots. So protestors have switched to Twitter and other social networking sites to report what is going on in the streets of Tehran. Traditional media are also turning to Iran’s Internet users to get reports and videos of the situation there. The Obama administration has urged Twitter to delay its maintenance outage as this is the only way for Iranins to communicate with the rest of the world! Many protestors are risking their lives by using their Phone Cameras to shoot videos and pictures of the rallies that started peacefully a week ago and turned out violently with 7 slain so far.

The latest riots have got everyone on their seat, eager for change, but nothing compares to the anticipation and optimism in the heart and mind of every young Iranian.