Iran’s ruling system seeks comfort zone amid crisis

The Washington Post

"This move will create many problems for many Iranian students, independent businessmen and the public in general," said Meir Javedanfar, an Iranian-born political analyst based in Israel. "They are the biggest losers from this."

Sadegh Zibakalam, a political affairs professor at Tehran University, said it appears the ruling system wanted to crush any chance of outreach to the West by Ahmadinejad's government, but may have misjudged the extent of the protest or the backlash from Europe.

"Even supporters of the establishment should choose the path of bravery and condemn this," he said.

Britain on Wednesday ordered all Iranian diplomats out of the country within 48 hours and suspended the work of its embassy in Tehran. At least four other European countries, including Germany and France, also moved to reduce diplomatic contacts with Iran.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Thursday that the attacks were "clearly premeditated" by high-ranking officials, but claimed there were "divisions within the Iranian regime" about the move.

Iran freed 11 protesters detained for storming the compounds, reports said Thursday without giving an immediate explanation for the release. It could, however, indicate the detainees had high-level protection from circles within the Iranian establishment.

A Western diplomat serving in the region said the suspicions of official backing for the protest mob may make it very difficult for Britain to return diplomatic staff out of security fears. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity according to his government's standing policies.

In Brussels, European Union foreign ministers imposed more sanctions on Iran and its ally Syria, where the regime of President Bashar Assad has battled opposition forces since March.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Iran will certainly "retaliate" for the British expulsions, according to the local Mehr news agency.

Iran's government has criticized the attacks. But hard-liners have spoken out in support of the protesters. Mohammad Mohammadian, a representative of Khamenei, praised the attackers, saying they had targeted the "epicenter of sedition."

In a news conference, the parliament speaker Larijani said the "wrath of (the protesters) resulted from several decades of domination-seeking behavior of Britain."

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Karimi reported from Tehran, Iran. Associated Press writer David Stringer in London contributed to this report.