/THREAD on #IranProtests/
1. Very interesting developments in Iran. As the protests are dying down (for now at least), the fight has moved to the political scene between Rouhani and his conservative critics.
1. Very interesting developments in Iran. As the protests are dying down (for now at least), the fight has moved to the political scene between Rouhani and his conservative critics.
2. Rouhani believes the hardliners crossed a red line. They were incensed by his plan to slash funds for Islamic foundations. But instead of pushing back in the Majlis, they took to the streets by organizing protests in Mashhad (which they quickly lost control over)
3. So now, Rouhani is trying to channel the anger of the protests to his favor. He is slightly downplaying the economic motivations and emphasizing the people's social and political frustrations. His gov also calls on protesters to be released from jail.
4. This enables him to shift focus a bit from the economic (where he is vulnerable) to the social and political injustices and restrictions (where the hardliners are vulnerable).
5. Thus, both leading political factions in Iran are willing to openly channel the people's frustrations - incl anti-regime slogans - to score points against their rivals. Shows that elite discipline has weakened - but also that protesters have leverage.
6. Thus far, signs are that #IranProtests have managed to force a conversation within the elite that otherwise likely would not have happened. It has also succeeded in sharpening Rouhani's position against social restrictions.
