Iran's "students" at it again

TEHRAN – “An attack has just been carried out against the Italian embassy in Tehran. Several dozen basiji [Iranian paramilitary militia – Ed.] wearing civilian clothes attempted to storm the Italian embassy throwing stones and shouting ‘Death to Italy, Death to Berlusconi’”. The announcement was made by the foreign minister, Franco Frattini, early yesterday afternoon during a Senate committee hearing. Similar incidents took place at the consulates of France, Holland and Germany. Mr Frattini said that intervention by the Iranian police had “prevented an actual assault and there was no serious damage”. Italian diplomatic sources did, however, point out that it was “a hostile demonstration”, not an attempt to storm the building.

Corriere della Serra reports on in its English language web edition that its mission in Tehran was among those of several European powers subjected to ugly incidents from young adults in civilian clothes. Iranian government TV said it was not true these mobs were basiji but merely students.

If Italy were singled out for particular scholarly attention it would seem to be because of what Iran's state TV called "services rendered to the Israeli masters" by Silvio Berlusconi; although, as the article goes on to say, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini pointed out: "Unfortunately, Iran has complicated, problematic relations with the entire international community. The issue is not relations with Italy."

One cannot help but be reminded of a time when another group of "students" took control of the US Embassy in Tehran. We hope and pray such an outrage is not contemplated against other legations, perhaps to coincide with next Thursday's official celebration of the 31st anniversary of the revolution that brought the current theocratic junta to power in that unhappy land.

Meanwhile, to add insult to injury, the Italian ambassador has been summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday to receive that government's formal protest over recent remarks by the Italian Prime Minister. Were a European power to demand the attendance of an Iranian envoy on the Muslim sabbath there would be harsh cries against such insensitivity. But Iran summons the ambassador of a Christian nation to appear on his nation's sabbath with impunity.

For some interesting comments from a current Green Movement opposition leader who was, three decades ago, a close associate of Ayatollah Khomeini, see this interview with Mehdi Karroubi.