Under the Microscope: Iran's National Security Council's Reaction to Ayatollah Taheri's Resignation - 2002-07-12

Under the Microscope: Iran's National Security Council's Reaction to Ayatollah Taheri's Resignation - 2002-07-12. Dr. Nouri Zadeh stated that the National Security Council's decision to prevent media from publishing any news regarding Ayatollah Taheri's resignation overshadowed all other news. In protest of this decision, the newspaper Norooz had left a significant portion of its pages blank. Additionally, a letter from Abbas Abdi to President Khatami was another major news item, especially as he concluded by listing Khatami's concerns about the country slipping into chaos following the president's resignation, stating that 'there is no color darker than black.' Furthermore, in a statement from Tabarzadi's group, there was strong condemnation of the police's behavior, which, after failing to prevent protests, attacked people with tear gas, batons, and gunfire, resulting in many injuries from knives wielded by pressure groups. The Democratic Front (Tabarzadi's group) demanded the release of 140 individuals who were arrested during the protests on July 18.