TEHRAN, IRAN—During a recent visit to the Ministry of Intelligence, Iran’s Supreme Leader expressed his satisfaction with the ministry’s efforts to quash a recent wave of popular uprising that began with the disputed re-election of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
But Khamenei wanted the ministry to do more to prevent future political unrest.
According to Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, Heydar Moslehi, “Since the best defense is considered to be an attack, the ministry is planning aggressive attacks through intelligence services”.
"Young recruits and experienced servants of the Islamic Republic will take charge of this mission, which will be marked by the coalescence of youthful spirit and experience," said Moslehi.
During his visit, Iran’s Supreme Leader reminded the Intelligence Minister that his loyalty must remain with the Islamic revolution and its top leadership.
Khamenei wanted the ministry to do more to prevent future political unrest. He instructed the Ministry of Intelligence to focus on long-term plans in order to suppress the seditious movement.
Sedition is a term coined by Khamenei following the mass uprising that challenged the legitimacy of Ahmadinejad’s government.
The new get-tough policy comes amid calls by some senior clerics to ease restrictions on the opposition leaders whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
Ayatollah Mousavi Ardebili, a close ally of the Islamic revolution issued a statement condemning the oppressive tactics of the Iranian government.
“Today slander has become a normal and far-reaching activity, and anyone will unscrupulously insult whomever they want," said the former judiciary expert, adding "or before someone is convicted of a crime and handed a punishment in a legitimate court, [some authorities] accuse people and issue their sentence without fear of any consequence," said Ardebili.
A government backed newspaper in Iran called Ardebili’s statement inconsistent with the spirit of Islamic revolution and suggested he was under the influence of the opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, a revolutionary guard commander,General Aubnoosh, said that the New Year may be a “year of bloodshed if the results of the parliamentary elections are not in line with our values”. Aubnoosh recommended that the Guardian Council thoroughly vet candidates before approving them to run for office.
General Abubnoosh warned that the sedition movement has progressed to become a “coalition with another movement called the deviation.” He predicted greater difficulty in future Iranian elections due to the deviation movement. But the Revolutionary Guard general did not specify what he meant by deviation movement.
In an interview, another Revolutionary Guard official invited Iranian hackers to become part of the Iran’s cyber army. “Regarding the cyber issue, we welcome the presence of those hackers who are willing to work for the goals of the Islamic Republic with good will and revolutionary activities,” said Brigadier General Gholamreza Jalali who also warned of dire consequences if hackers lend their expertises to opposition groups.
It was not immediately clear if Jalali’s statements were in response to the new get-tough-policy announced by the intelligence minister. However, the Ministry of Intelligence and its various agencies together with the Revolutionary Guard have been instrumental in quashing the recent public uprising.
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