Unrest in Iran?

Don't get too hopeful. I remember linking to similar stories when I started this blog, and the "unrest" and "fighting" just turned out to be fireworks set off during some sort of Zoroastrian fire-festival.

But Ogre Gunner tips me to this unconfirmed report, probably by student activists who have a vested interest in inspiring unrest (not that that's a bad thing), saying that fighting is breaking out in Iran.

I don't believe it myself, and I won't until less-interested parties post similar reports.

But the guy who sent this to me is named is Ogre Gunner, and when Ogre Gunner sends you a tip, you link it. That's my rule, and it's kept me out of trouble so far.

Update: JohnD. points to this VOA article indicating that there is in fact some protesting in Iran right now.

But it's not violent unrest:

According to press reports, about two thousand people milled around streets in downtown Tehran, many of them driving cars up and down major avenues, honking their horns and flashing victory signs. Hundreds of volunteer militiamen arrived on the scene, but there were no violent clashes.

And remember that last time it was all soem Zoroasterian fire-festival? Well, there seems to be a Zoroasterian connection again:

The demonstration on Sunday appears to have been catalyzed by the statements of a Zoroastrian mystic, Ahura Pirouz Khalegi Yazdi. Dr. Ahura, as he's known, has been appearing regularly for the last three months on a Los Angeles-based Iranian expatriate TV channel, saying he has the spiritual power to heal Iran's problems. He promised to return to Iran on October 1, along with thousands of other expatriates, if Iranians in the country showed their support for him.

I don't know much about Zoroasterism, except what I've picked up from an album I own, with lyrics and music by the Zoroasterian Farouk Pluto Bulsara.

posted by Ace at 06:21 PM

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