You Have Outdone All Dictators, Former Revolutionary Guard Says

The following is a social media post by a retired member of the IRGC who fought in the Iran-Iraq war and witnessed the repressive environment in Tehran on Saturday.

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Today, Tehran is worse than the military government during the 1979 revolution. 

In dealing with the people, you have outdone all the dictators in history. In 1357 [1978], I was fourteen years old, and I remember the military government in Ahvaz vividly. They would bring soldiers from their barracks and deploy them in the city. The uniformed, tired soldiers, with earth-colored uniforms and weapons in hand, had no idea why they had been brought into the city!

The most important principle of the military government was the prohibition of gatherings of more than three people during the day and a nighttime curfew. Nevertheless, religious gatherings with hundreds of attendees were held at night.

But what I witnessed today on the streets of Tehran is beyond words. I don’t exaggerate when I say that if a foreign country had occupied Tehran and Iran, they couldn't have deployed as many forces on the streets to prove that your country is occupied, and resistance is futile!

The occupier couldn't have maneuvered so many anti-riot police motorcycles through the city. The occupier couldn’t have indoctrinated so many of its troops to believe that people walking calmly, peaceful people, are the enemy!! Their outfits, what can I say? From head to toe, tightly equipped in black gear. I doubt that anywhere except in North Korea or Russia, such [repressive] gear exist.

Exactly like astronauts, like gladiators!

Of all I mentioned, what's worse and more horrifying is seeing plainclothesmen dressed in black tops and combat pants, or often jeans. They were heavily armed. With wireless devices, with electric batons and sticks. They had relatively long beards and menacing, demanding looks towards passersby, especially women. They arrested people for no reason, and they did so rudely. 

A girl was walking with her male companion. They called out the man and the girl also stopped. They told her that they wanted to only question the man. But she stood there bravely. She told the agents that "we were strolling together and if we committed a crime, both of us should be arrested." They tried to intimidate her, to force her to leave. She stood there and, in the end, saved her friend in front of my surprised gaze. They left.

The police had brought so many prison busses that they could have transported tens of thousands of people. I was amazed. I often used to ask myself why our roads are so bad despite all that oil income. Why poverty wreaks havoc in the country. But today, with all the security gear I saw, I realized that this must have consumed half the oil income.

What have you done with Iran! How much seeds of hatred have you sowed? What a bunch of mercenaries you have trained. How much public money have you spent for protecting yourselves? Aren’t you ashamed? Indeed, you have outdone all dictators.

Is it possible to occupy a country in this way, especially a country with Iran’s history and civilization?

I forgot to say about brave girls who were walking in groups. Some with headscarves, some without, some with their mothers, some with their fathers, some with friends. They were so spirited, so carefree. I was trembling in fear, yet they were laughing heartily in front of the security forces. If only I could have taken a photo or a video.

Hundreds of officers in tight groups. How aggressively they warned commuters leaving the metro at Valiasr Square, shouting about their headscarves!

And what responses they got:

"It's none of your business; get lost!"

I couldn't believe my eyes! Kudos to you.

How foolish are those who think they can govern this generation with special units and the use of force! A generation that has changed significantly, far more than the authorities can imagine.

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Iran International preferred not to publish the name of the author, in order to prevent an unnecessary security risk for him. The comment was published on Telegram messaging app.