Iran braces for June protests as opposition mounts digital offensive

Iran Focus

Tehran, May 31 - Iranian state media warned Monday that the country’s main organised opposition group was making a concerted effort to bring people to the streets in June to mark the anniversary of the nationwide protests that rattled the regime last summer.

"Since yesterday, the Monafeqin [People’s Mojahedin] have been contacting residents of Tehran and other cities on their mobile phones from an unknown number and playing back a voice recording of a message by Massoud Rajavi and urging people to take to the streets on 12 June”, Raja News, a website close to Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reported Monday.

Rajavi, the historical leader of the Mojahedin (PMOI), is President of the main opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

Raja News said the PMOI audio files were urging the population to participate in protests to topple the regime.

Similar reports appeared in other Iranian state media on Monday.

Activists have been distributing leaflets and writing political graffiti on walls in many Tehran districts, urging the public to join anti-government demonstrations called for from 10-20 June.

Officials have issued stern warnings against any public rallies and taken pre-emptive measures to thwart a repeat of last year’s protests, the most serious in the Islamic Republic's 31-year history.

On Sunday, activists in Tehran’s Jannat-Abad district distributed leaflets which said, "June is the month of sacrifice to topple (Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali) Khamenei".

On Saturday, a large banner was hoisted in Tehran's Heshmatiya district, reading "Khamenei, it is better that you die!" and "Don't forget 10-20 June."

Separately, leaflets were handed out to people in Vahidiyeh and Nezam-Abad districts, which said, "Heroic people of Iran, 10-20 June are unforgettable days in Iran's history. We can and we must topple Khamenei. See you on 10-20 June".