Members of Revolutionary Guards resigning

Hosein Hashemian

A group of Revolutionary Guards have resigned from the force according to Hosein Hashemian, an Iranian lawmaker. Mr. Hashemian told Parleman News Website that the unacceptable interference of the Revolutionary Guards in political matters has caused a rift in the force. The Revolutionary Guards are the chief supporters of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and one of the main forces in the crackdown on post-election protests.

According to the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, armed forces are banned from political activity. Mohammad Ali Jafari, Commander of the Revolutionary Guards claims factions of the Basij militia that are not employed by the Revolutionary Guards can participate in politics.

Last week, Commander Jafari accused former president, Mohammad Khatami and Mousavi Khoweiniha, a senior member of Combatant Clerics, of undermining the Supreme Leader. Association of Combatant Clerics has pressed charges against Mr. Jafari with the judiciary.

Mr. Hashemian declared that Mr. Jafari should be detained for his comments. He also expressed regret over the cancellation of the 20-year-old custom of holding Shab-e Qadr event at the Tomb of Imam Khomeini.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the prominent Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Bayat Zanjani who told ILNA that the very ideology of Imam Khomeini is being wiped out of all government policies. The government has been canceling several events connected with the Holy month of Ramadan in order to deter protesters from forming large gatherings.

The Islamic Republic has fallen into the worst crisis in its 30-year history since the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June. The defeated candidates, supported by nationwide protests, have accused the government of vote-rigging.

Currently 300 protesters are in prison and many have been charged with conspiracy to organize a “velvet coup” to topple the government. Several Revolutionary Guards commanders have also called for the arrest of MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, the two defeated candidates and former president, Mohammad Khatami.