A Visit with Mahdi Karroubi: Iranian Opposition Leader Defiant Despite Government Crackdown

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The president has established a low-key but effective dictatorship. The presence of the government's thugs, the Pasdaran and Basij militias, is not particularly noticeable in the streets. But the fear of being observed, having one's conversations bugged and being arrested and convicted because of unwanted criticism of the regime has stifled the relatively liberal political life under Ahmadinejad's predecessor, Mohammed Khatami.

The regime is keeping the leaders of the Green Rebellion isolated, although Karroubi prefers not to use the term house arrest. Two guards, who register all visitors, stand in front of his house until late in the evening. "Anyone who comes to see me," says Karroubi, "can expect to face consequences." A summons to appear for questioning by the intelligence services is one of the least serious of these consequences.

When Karroubi leaves the house, he is accompanied by a group of government security agents who, as he is told, are there "to protect him from terrorists." It is a ridiculous assertion, says the cleric, noting that the real acts of "terror" are being committed by those who have forced his so-called security guards upon him.

Restrictions on Media

There is a palpable attempt throughout the country to massively repress the opposition and isolate its leaders. The regime controls Internet use and mobile phone services, severing connections at will. Western journalists are only permitted to enter the country when Tehran anticipates a positive portrayal in the press, such as during the so-called disarmament summit on April 17-18. The government had invited "more than 70 countries" to attend the summit, which it had dubbed "Nuclear Energy For All, Nuclear Weapons For No One."

Meanwhile, many Iranians were more interested to know whether their fellow Iranian Mehrzad Marashi, who lives in Germany, would be the winner of the television talent show "Deutschland sucht den Superstar," which is similar to "American Idol." Perhaps not entirely coincidentally, the reception of Western satellite programs -- which are often blocked by the regime -- was not jammed on that particular evening.

The conference became a testament to the audacity of the government's propagandists. "There is no censorship here," claimed Mohammad Ali Ramin, the vice-minister of the Ershad, as the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is known. But the government does its utmost to prohibit any reporting that is even remotely critical, and hardly any politicians dare to speak without the permission of the Ershad.

Mohsen Rezai, who just a year ago was one of Ahmadinejad's harshest critics and, as the former head of the Revolutionary Guard, ought to be untouchable, has lost interest in leveling serious criticism. During the presidential campaign, he castigated the president for corruption and mismanagement, as well as his aggressive foreign policy.

'It Can't Go On Like This'

Rezai, who has a black goatee and frowns frequently, is sitting in a friend's apartment in a wealthy neighborhood of north Tehran. He doesn't need permission to speak to journalists.

Fear is a word that doesn't suit a former member of the Pasdaran who risked his life several times in the eight-year war with Iraq. But as general secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council, which resolves conflicts between laws and government policy, Rezai holds a high-ranking office that he could lose at any time. He knows that even his six bodyguards will be no protection if he sticks his neck out too far in Ahmadinejad's republic.

The former military officer is still in favor with the revolutionary leader. Some believe that Rezai could even be a potential successor to the president, should Ahmadinejad's provocations go too far even for his mentor, Ayatollah Khamenei. Does he see himself as an alternative to Ahmadinejad? The corners of Rezai's mouth turn up in a slight smile: "I will serve my people where I can."

The retired general prefers to avoid critical questions, and seems intent on stirring his tea, as if the sugar could somehow solve his loyalty problems. Like Karroubi, Rezai refers to "Dr. Ahmadinejad" and avoids using the word president. And like Karroubi the reformer, Rezai the conservative says: "It can't go on like this."

Uncertain about the Future

No one seems to be able to point to a way out of the crisis. Even men with the greatest faith in God, like Ayatollah Mohammad Kazem Mousavi Bojnourdi, 66, are distraught and uncertain about the Islamic Republic's future. Bojnourdi is deputy head of a Tehran-based foundation named after Imam Khomeini. The foundation's head is Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the revolutionary leader. With such a position, Bojnourdi is considered to be untouchable.

Bojnourdi seems deeply disturbed as he describes the regime's latest attack. He has just discovered that it was "suggested" to his "friend of more than 30 years," former President Khatami, that he should not travel to Japan to attend a seminar. "Isn't that unbelievable?" the ayatollah asks, and adds, almost as if he were speaking to himself: "Everything is possible in this Islamic Republic."

The new newspaper Bahar, which took the risk of voicing doubts about the regime, was promptly shut down. The party affiliated with Khatami, the Islamic Iran Participation Front, has been banned, as has another party, the Mujahedeen of the Islamic Revolution, which supported Moussavi.

Nevertheless, opposition leader Karroubi is not declaring defeat yet in the battle over the future of the theocracy. "The people are just waiting for a spark," he says. He intends to light that spark.

Obligated to Tell the Truth

Karroubi is calling for a rally to commemorate the anniversary of the mass protests, and he has already submitted a petition for approval to the authorities. He doesn't even believe that the government, which imposed a ban on public protests immediately after the election, will grant the permit. But, he adds, it is "important to take a stand and show people that we continue to fight, not against this republic, but for compliance with our constitution, in which freedom of opinion and democracy are established."

Karroubi denies that he has had any differences of opinion with Mousavi, the other reform leader. He says that he corresponds with Mousavi's close advisers regularly, through trusted supporters, and that the opposition leaders meet privately at least once a month. "We are largely of the same opinion in all areas," says Karroubi.

It is unclear how much longer the brave mullah, whose courage is even admired by conservatives, can continue to encourage resistance to the regime. He has no intention of abandoning his cause. As a student of Imam Khomeini, he says, he feels "obligated to tell the truth, no matter what the price."

Karroubi remains composed at the prospect of being arrested. "I am prepared to accept all consequences," he says. What else can they take from him, apart from his life?

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• Part 1: Iranian Opposition Leader Defiant Despite Government Crackdown
• Part 2: A Low-Key but Effective Dictatorship