After a week of hunting for reasons and excuses for the turmoil in Iran, branding their own people as “football hooligans, protesters, criminals, or terrorists”, after a week of midnight raids, searches and seizures of Iranians from within their own homes, after a week of witch-hunts by the hard-liners, CNN is reporting this morning “Iran arrests foreign nationals in connection with protests.“ According to the report, Intelligence Minister Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ezhei told reporters, England “fans the flames” and “the BBC Farsi has also played a major role. Also, a number of people carrying British passports have played a role in the recent disturbances.”

A “major role” is it?

As the Salem-type scapegoating continued, the “Supreme Leaner“, not to be dissuaded stated, “I had insisted and will insist on implementing the law on the election issue,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “Neither the establishment nor the nation will yield to pressure at any cost.” Apparently the blood of his own people figures into his cruel cost analysis.

Two related notes.

Mullahs against Mahmoud? Are Iranian Clerics joining in on anti-government protests? Whether out supporting  Mir Hossein Moussavi or an unbiased recount of the votes cast in the recent national Presidential election, or perhaps in response to the martyrdom of Neda, marching Mullahs in the media are signs worth noting. Of the death of Neda Agha-Soltan, President Obama said, “It’s heartbreaking” and “fundamentally unjust.” Perhaps our Commander in Chief and some Iranian Clerics are in agreement.

The wife of Iranian opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi speaks out. In a move reminiscent of the passion and courage of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Zahra Rahnavard demanded the immediate release of those imprisoned in light or recent protests. Her government appears unfazed by her plea.

Given the depraved indifference to human life shown by the Iranian leaders towards their own people, is it any wonder why Israel, England and the West refuse, “at any cost” to stand by and let them become a nuclear power?