Faced with mounting opposition in the streets, and obvious divisions even amongst the clerics, the Iranian leadership has offered a partial recount of votes, and is now describing the election results as "preliminary". That is a clear attempt to demobilise the protests without making any real concession. At the same time they are using increasingly brutal methods. They have been arresting protest leaders, taking satllite dishes and other communications equipment away, and in addition to closing down mobile phone and other communications, they have withdrawn permits ffrom foreign journalists to prevent them reporting on the rising tide of opposition that is spreading from Tehran to other cities.
But, both are a sign that the ruling clique are worried. They have never faaced protest and opposition on this scale. Yesteray, Government militia opened fire from the militia buiding on a peaceful crowd. Its now reported 8 people dies last night. Today, the Government shipped in bus loads of supporters to a pro-Ahmedinejad demonstration called rapidly to coincide in place and time with a demonstration by oppositionists, reminiscent of the provocations of the July Days in Russia in 1917. But, Moussavi and his supporters were able to use electronic communications to effectively call of their demonstration, and move it elsewhere. In addition, demonstrations have been springing up ad hoc in the most unlikely places, such as a protest on the underground!
But, today's events show the danger for the opposition. The Government retains a monopoly of violence. In addition, it probably retains significant support in backward rural areas. The socialist and democratic forcess in Iran, has to find waays of at neutralising that section of the population, and if possible winning them over behind the working class. That requires a programme designed to meet the needs of peasants and rural workers. Once again, it becomes clear that even a democratic revolution in Iran can only be achieved on the basis of a determined workers struggle that combines a programme of Democratic and Socialist demands.
It is vital thaat socialists and Trade Unionists begin to give some leadership to this struggle, carrying it into thee workplace, and into the workers communities. The Day of Global Action on 26th June is a good opportunity to build for a general Strike in Iran. Iranian workers need to impose their own stamp on these demonstrations by creating Factory Committees able to prepare to take over the main enterprises, we need neighbourhood Committees that can exercise democratic controlover a workers militia to defend the workers against inevitable attacks from Government forces. And such committees will need to link up across the country to support each other, and prevent the regime from dividing workers in one part of the country from those in another.
These protests are far ffrom a workers revolution at the moment. It may well not get that far. Either way, it is the job of socialists everywhere to support the Iranian workers, and in the whole of this struggle it is the interests of workers for which we have regard. Even if this struggle only results in the overthrow of the current regime, and a more democratic set-up, that will be a step forward for Iranian workers and for workers throughout the region. It will show that tin pot despots can be challenged by the working class, and real improvements won. But, from history we know that the bouregoisie will try to keep the struggle within its bounds. If it thinks the workers pose a threat to its rule it will quickly switch to a return to the current or some other fascist gang to protect its interests. The workers should not restrict itself to just bouregois demands, but must rely only on itself, and try to mobilise it the wider mass of oppressed and exploited Iranian people.
Victory to the Iranian Workers
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