As before, the women of Iran have been deeply involved in this revolt, displaying astonishing courage and autonomy in the face of a regime which consigns them to subjugation. They are masked not to conceal their identities (the Baseej are mostly doing that) but to guard against the tear gas you see all around them. The Newest Deal adds:
The regime seems intent on continuing to dig its own grave. With at least 10 protesters killed — including the nephew of a former Prime Minsiter — on one of the holiest days in Shia Islam and by a supposed Shia theocracy, rage towards the Islamic Republic is understandably turning very raw. Past all the amazing things that were captured on the footage that leaked out of Iran today, perhaps what was most interesting is what was missing: any mention of Ahmadinejad. The abundance and veracity of anti-Khameini chants on Ashura should not be overlooked. The Supreme Leader (with the doctrine of velayat-eh faqih which vests him with power) has become public enemy number-one.
Cries of 'Allah Akbar' tonight are reported as being the loudest since June.
There appear to be increasing calls (and support) for a general strike, possibly beginning tomorrow. Dissident filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf has repeated these calls on BBC Persian, though he should by no means be considered a "roving ambassador" of the Green movement, as some would have him. Najafabad is rumored to be under martial law.
The Dish 