The youth of Iran’s reformist parties announced today that if the Islamic Republic authorities do not release opposition leaders MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi from house arrest, they will take to the streets on March 2.
The young reformists warned detaining the leaders and other such actions widen the rift between the people and the government, plunging the country into a deeper state of crisis.
The two opposition leaders have been under house arrest since they called on people to rally in support of the Arab uprisings. On February 14, protesters responded en masse in Tehran and other major cities. The protests continued last Sunday, and the government responded with the widespread deployment of security and pro-government forces and the tightening of security around the two opposition leaders.
The cul-de-sac where Mousavi’s home is located is now sealed off with an iron gate, and security forces are stationed inside the homes of both opposition leaders.
The reformist youth said recent events in the region indicate Iran will pay a grave price if the government does not open the door to reforms through dialogue, negotiation and a return to the provisions of the constitution.
The conditions of the opposition leaders and their wives is unknown because all contact is strictly prohibited. Their children are concerned that government forces are the only source of food for the two couples, raising the possibility that the opposition leaders might be eliminated through poisoning.
