Islamic Republic cancels marking of nationalist event

July 21st demonstration 57 years ago in Tehran

Iranian political organization National Front of Iran announced that Islamic Republic security forces have pressured the organization into foregoing its July 21 events.

According to a National Front statement, security forces impeded the events of the day by threatening the members with persecution.

On July 21, 1953, demonstrators staged protests to the dismissal of the nationalist Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh and were killed in a showdown with the security forces of the last Iranian monarch, Mohammadreza Pahlavi.

Islamic Republic security forces summoned the head of the National Front organization to inform him that any gathering in 7th Tir Square and boarding the bus as well as travel to Baboyeh is prohibited.

Baboyeh is the resting ground of the victims of July 21st incident 57 years ago.

In the past year, in the face of widespread street protests to the alleged fraud in the presidential elections, several public cultural and religious events have been cancelled or held with strict security measures.

A number of National Front members have also been arrested in the past year in the crackdown on election protesters.

Issa Khan Hatami, Hossein Mousavi, Kourosh Raim, Peymon Aref and Hamidreza Khadem are amongst the members of the National Front who were arrested in the past year. Mohammad Oliyaifard, human rights lawyer and member of National Front law experts is also currently under arrest.

The Revolutionary Court sentenced Issa Khan Hatami to two years in prison last week and his membership in the National Front was amongst his charges.