Political Turmoil in Iran

Iran has seen political unrest since the results of the election last week. The  conservative president, Mahmoud Ahmadinjad, was declared the winner of Friday's election with 63 percent of the votes.  Iranian leaders have failed to halt the second day of massive protests in the streets of Iran.  Protesters are protesting the results of the elections claiming there was fraud involved in the voting process.  Supporters of the opposition presidential candidate Mir Hussein Moussavi want a recount. Supports gathered in a line a mile long marched mostly in silence carrying signs and asking, "Where is my vote?"

On Monday, hundreds of thousands Iranians joined the largest public demonstration since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.  Seven protestors have been killed many uncensored images have been broadcasted around the world through various websites.  The dire situation in Iran had received international attention. In Washington, President Obama is concerned about the election in Iran but said that it would be counterproductive to meddle in the disputed election.  The government of Iran is trying to limit damage by cracking down on electronic media by threatening to block social mediums such as twitter and facebook, arresting many journalist, ordering foreign journalist not to report on the streets and sending many of them home. Supporters of President Ahmadinejad about 10,000 of them marched through Tehran chanting, "Rioters should be executed!" On Tuesday, many websites posted a video that purported to show the death of a student in Isfahan in a shooting by a pro-government militia members. Moreover, other videos showed bleeding demonstrators from Tehran after the large protest on Monday. The government has continued its violence against its citizens protesting the election. The government arrested more than 100 politicians and activists on Sunday. Some have been released. The supreme religious leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with the four presidential candidates urging unity and peace but did not address the protestors' demands for a new election. 

The situation in Iran is difficult for the establishment to admit to the fraud because it would undermine the legitimacy of the government. There is no legal solution to the dilemma. Even the national football team has shown its support despite it being controlled by the government. During the game with South Korea the national football team, demonstrated their surprised defiance by wearing bright green ribbons supporting the oppositional party. 

The turmoil has turned into a struggle over the balance of power in Iran. The fight for power is a symbolic struggle taking place on the streets of Tehran. Opposition supporters are defiant and have flouted the government's warning to have silent protests. Mr. Ahmadinejad's appeal has been to the mass poor and he has built a strong base and relationship among the military. Critics fear that he will turn Iran into a medieval Islamic-esq place and a militant North Korean environment. Which is highly conflictual since most of Iran is a diverse, sophisticated, and modern society. Iran has a a long complicated history in its leadership and it is unlikely for it to be easily and quickly resolved. 

What should Iran do? Have re-elections? Should the International community get involved?