Iran opposition worries about effect of sanctions

Washington Post:

As the United States and its allies consider further sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fear that such punishment could have unintended consequences, strengthening the government's hand against domestic dissent and triggering an even harsher crackdown on political foes.

On the eve of talks Thursday in Geneva between representatives of Iran and six world powers, Iranian opposition leaders, politicians and analysts warned that new financial or other penalties would hurt ordinary Iranians rather than change the government's behavior.

Opposition leaders have denounced what they view as Ahmadinejad's antagonistic foreign policy, but they are in no position to criticize the previously undisclosed construction near Qom of a second uranium-enrichment plant -- the latest bone of contention between Iran and the West -- for fear of being targeted as traitors to a national cause: the pursuit of nuclear energy and technological advancement.

Although there is general agreement that the opposition is in a tight spot, some analysts argue that tougher sanctions could fuel public discontent over existing economic difficulties, thwarting the government's hopes of unifying people against foreign threats.

Former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, Iran's main political opposition leader, called Ahmadinejad's foreign policy "wrong and adventurist" this week but came out against new sanctions, saying he worried that "deprived people" would pay the highest price.

"Sanctions would not affect the government but would impose many hardships upon the people, who suffer enough as a result of the calamity of their insane rulers," Mousavi said in a statement.

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Why wouldn't more severe sanctions turn the people more against the government than they already are? Since it is the government policies that are causing the problem they should be the logical parties to blame.

What we need to do is find a way to support these opponents of the religious bigots in Iran's government. That does not appear to be on the Obama agenda at this time.