There is a more serious form of whatever is happening in Iran:
Iranian state television says security forces have repelled “armed protesters” who tried to take over police stations and military bases.
The report on Monday says 12 people have been killed amid nationwide protests, including 10 during clashes Sunday night.
Are more casualties a sign of more rallies with more people; or a sign of security forces leaning forward to resist the protesters?
Lord knows the Iranian people deserve better than what they have. Do they seriously want better and will they try to achieve it?
The Persian "street" is active and upset with their mullah government. But it doesn't have a name bestowed on it yet (as the Green Revolution or Green Movement--or 2011 Arab Spring (and as an aside there was a more low key 2005 Arab spring, too, remember) to credit it with more potential for serious change.
UPDATE: One can't rule out that state television reports of armed attacks on police stations and military bases are just preparing the justification for a very violent government response to protests.
UPDATE: From AFP:
Nikki Haley, our ambassador to the UN, amplified the Iranian slogans that protesters chant but which Iranian government actions are suppressing. Good.
Also, Iran's rulers appear to be pretty worried:
In a speech carried on state television, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke his silence on the protests for the first time since they erupted last Thursday.
"The enemies have united and are using all their means, money, weapons, policies and security services to create problems for the Islamic regime," the supreme leader said.
"The enemy is always looking for an opportunity and any crevice to infiltrate and strike the Iranian nation."
Once again we will see if the people stand up to the rulers, if the rulers are willing to order violence against the people to suppress them, and if security forces will obey such orders. If all three things are true the protesters will likely lose.
