NICOSIA Ñ A key Iranian ruling cleric has warned that the Islamic
republic is on the verge of a popular uprising that could topple the regime.
"The people are very dissatisfied, and they are right to be so, and I
swear to God that the society is on the brink of explosion," said Ayatollah Ebrahim Amini, the
deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Experts
The 72-member Assembly of Experts is regarded as the highest
consultative body in the Islamic republic. It is the only group to which
Khamenei is responsible, according to Middle East Newsline.
Amini urged the regime to listen to the people. The cleric said not even the
Islamic republic can rule by force. "If this discontent increases, as is the case, society and the
regime will be threatened. No regime can maintain itself in power by force."
In response, Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani acknowledged high-level political conflicts but said security must be accorded priority to ensure the continuation of reforms. Shamkhani said security
includes such aspects as jobs, investment and personal safety.
"The government should do all within its power to provide people with
security in all its aspects," Shamkhani told the official Islamic Republic
News Agency.
The defense minister warned of disputes within the leadership, including
between the parliament and government. "In the wake of today's developments,
political immaturity among our political elite in managing current crises
leads to the inner political conflict," he said.
Shamkhani was speaking as parliamentarians called for the resignation of
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi. Kharazi was said to have offered to
resign, but this was rejected by President Mohammed Khatami.
Earlier, "Under the former regime, no one was preventing people from going to the
mosque or praying," Amini said. "But we had promised the real Islamic
justice and an administration like of the time of the prophet and imam Ali.
That was the reason the people listened, offered martyrs and made the
revolution. The duty of the rulers is not fasting or praying all the time,
but to listen to the people, to fulfil their demands, offer them better
life, prosperity and work."
