Nationwide Protests in Iran; State Athletes or People's Athletes?

Following the recent nationwide protests in Iran, Mostafa Hashemi Taba stated that those who create unrest and disturb the country's peace are seeking to overthrow the regime, not to claim rights. The former head of the Physical Education Organization and candidate in the last presidential election emphasized in an interview with ISNA that anyone seeking unauthorized demonstrations is pursuing an overthrow through chaos. The Borna website, affiliated with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, also published a series of similar interviews, attributing the protests to a 'conspiracy by foreign enemies, profiteers, and rioters.' Ali Jabari, a former national football player, stated that young people should not allow some to create chaos for personal gain and damage public property. Majid Shayesteh, the head of the Tennis Federation and son-in-law of Mohsen Qaraati, said, 'Whenever necessary, the people have thwarted the conspiracies of profiteers by the command of the Supreme Leader and have never allowed enemies to execute their sinister plans to disrupt Imam's ideals.' The Ministry of Sports and Youth has a public relations center and, like other ministries, has a dedicated news base and cannot pay for the Borna website's costs according to the law. Therefore, the funding for this site comes from the 'Fund for Supporting Champions and Veterans.' The head of the Squash Federation told Borna, 'The marches of individuals in the streets and the chaos they created showed that they are only trying to please the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.' Masoud Soleimani, referring to the USA, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, claimed that the recent situation has shown 'these riots were planned by enemies.' Ehsan Pirbarna, editor-in-chief of Bank Sport, wrote that 'athletes in interviews with the Ministry of Sports-affiliated site talk about the necessity of confronting rioters and the increasing popularity of Rouhani. These interviews themselves disrupt the peace of the people and rekindle wounds. Platforms funded by public money are conducting interviews against the nation.' Borna quoted Hassan Rahimi, a freestyle wrestling champion, stating that 'we should not drag society into chaos and create disorder. Setting fire to shops and cars and destroying public property does not solve any problems.' Nima Nakisa, a former national team goalkeeper, also stated, 'This country has many enemies, and they are looking to harm the country and the regime by any means, and this is not a method of criticism. I strongly condemn this action.' However, Ahmad Shabani-Fard, a record-holder in open water swimming, an active athlete and supporter of child labor rights, called on athletes on Instagram not to leave the people alone in pursuing their demands. However, his name is not among those interviewed by Borna. Borna did not interview any athlete who expressed a different opinion. In all interviews, there are fixed phrases stating that 'there are indeed problems, but the government is trying to...' and protests are referred to as 'chaos and riots planned by enemies.' Seyyed Mahdi Seyed Salehi, who has recently appeared as an expert in live broadcasts of the Premier League, stated that the people are loyal to the regime. Iran is secure, and I hope the riots end soon. Behnam Aboualghasempour, a sports manager in the municipality during Qalibaf's tenure, stated, 'The people stand by the values of the Islamic Revolution and should not give enemies of Islam and Iran the opportunity to undermine the foundations of the regime.' He emphasized, 'I strongly condemn vandalism, riots, and creating conflicts; the presence of a small number of profiteers caused disorder, which ended with the vigilance and insight of the people.' Hamideh Abbasali, a women's karate champion, also stated that 'thanks to the law and democracy in the country, there is freedom of expression and thought, and people should choose the most logical way to express their opinions.' Morteza Fanounizadeh, a former national football defender, also stated, 'Setting cars on fire and damaging public property pleases the enemy, and profiteering media benefit from it.' Noshad Alamiyan, a table tennis champion, stated, 'Some profiteers drag society into disorder. The people stand by the values of the Islamic Revolution and should not give enemies of Islam the opportunity to undermine the foundations of the regime.' Among the athletes whose interviews are published on the program site, there are individuals who have repeatedly protested against the lack of financial resources in sports or delays in contract payments and bonuses. However, none of them mentioned the workers who have not received their wages for months, and their occupational protests in recent months have faced severe crackdowns. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling champion Omid Norouzi told Borna, 'Protest has its own way and does not tolerate chaos. The path of these exploiters of the people is separate.' After reactions on social media, Norouzi denied his statements and wrote on Instagram: 'My comments were about comprehensive support for the people and condemning the shortcomings of officials, calling for the hands of greedy individuals, offspring of powerful families, and embezzlers to be cut from the country. Unfortunately, there has been mischief in broadcasting this interview, and any statement from me will be denied.' Hassan Rowshan, a striker for the national team in the 1978 World Cup, stated, 'The actions of the rioters are condemned as they damage public property. Burning the country's flag, Imamzadeh, and mosque is the work of enemies.' However, Ehsan Pirbarna, editor-in-chief of Bank Sport, criticized the interviews of the ministry-affiliated site, stating, 'The self-appointed individuals of the Ministry of Sports are collecting interviews against their own country for the sake of pleasing their superiors. They are doing what the state-run media does.' In this context, concerns of human rights experts and Amnesty International regarding the treatment of Iranian protesters have emerged, with at least 1,800 individuals arrested during the protests in 10 provinces of Iran. Protests and political actors in Iran, five labor organizations called for 'an end to poverty' and 'the dismantling of the repression apparatus' in Iran. Support from several Iranian artists for the 'right' to conduct peaceful protests has increased, leading to the expansion of protest gatherings; 'violence by security forces against demonstrators.' Is a new protest movement on the way? 'Friday of Protest,' changing the playing field of 'proxy forces'; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The Iranian crisis; the responsibility of opponents and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iranian crisis. Internet shutdown in Iran has exceeded 300 hours; reports of 'evidence' of the killing of injured individuals under treatment. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iranian crisis. Accounts from three witnesses about the situation in Isfahan province; 'like war-torn areas.' Trump emphasized 'stopping executions in Iran': we do not know what will happen in the future. Trump announced an agreement to hold a meeting about Greenland in Davos.