Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Top Clerics Defy Ayatollah Over Iran Election

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 4, 2009 10:09 PM CDT

(Newser) – A potentially big development on the Iran elections tonight: The nation's most prominent clerical group demanded that the results be thrown out and called the new government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad illegitimate, the New York Times reports. The decision may yet collapse under state pressure, but it's a defiant rebuke of the nation's supreme leader and the clearest sign yet of a serious split in the country's leadership.

“This crack in the clerical establishment and the fact they are siding with the people and Mousavi in my view is the most historic crack in the 30 years of the Islamic republic,” said a Stanford scholar. The group that issued the statement goes by the not-so-radical name of the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum, but it wields much clout. Its move will make it difficult for Ahmadinejad's camp to continue to paint Mousavi and his followers as traitors.

Mir Hossein Mousavi on June 8.
Mir Hossein Mousavi on June 8.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)
Mir Hossein Mousavi, after voting.
Mir Hossein Mousavi, after voting.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a meeting in Tehran Saturday.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks during a meeting in Tehran Saturday.   (AP Photo/ISNA, Arash Khamushi)
In this June 9 file photo, a supporter of Mir Hossein Mousavi takes part in a protest.
In this June 9 file photo, a supporter of Mir Hossein Mousavi takes part in a protest.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
peacenique
Jul 5, 2009 9:53 AM CDT
Wouldn't that be great... have Iran run by "not so radicals"?! I wish them peace and wisdom.
chas_m
Jul 5, 2009 7:36 AM CDT
+1 riffran. Morons like Kristol will never understand that this is an issue for the people of Iran to work out FOR THEMSELVES. Yes there will be some injustice along the way, but until that spills over into some other border, it is THEIR PROBLEM and I have great faith that the Iranian people can and will deal with it.
riffran
Jul 5, 2009 4:50 AM CDT
I VOTE TO STAY THE HELL OUT!....and let the dust settle..and then stay the hell out some more

More Newser Stories

Iran Touts Its 'Key' Nuclear Achievements

Admiral: Iran Has Suicide Boats

Ahmadinejad: Iran to Reveal 'Big' Nuclear Progress

Iran Again Flexes Naval Muscles

Ahmadinejad: Iran Ready for Nuke Talks


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne