Surprise! Khamenei Blames Zionists for Problems: Upholds Election

Perhaps rigging an election and 30 years of tyranny might have had an effect?

TEHRAN — As another day of defiance and uncertainty loomed in Iran’s capital, many Iranians looked to an appearance by the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the national prayer service from Tehran University on Friday. Political analysts said they hoped that the leader would reveal his ultimate intent, indicating a willingness to either appease the opposition or demand an end to protests that followed presidential elections a week ago.He blamed “media belonging to Zionists, evil media” for seeking to show divisions between those who supported the Iranian state and those who did not.

But, he said, “this was a competition among people who believe in the state.” Among the thousands listening to him was President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who official results showed winning almost two-thirds of the vote. Ayatollah Khamenei spoke of the religious roots of “our revolutionary society.”

On the bright side Ahmadinejad likes everyone:

Even Mr. Ahmadinejad, who has kept a defiant if low profile, made an unusual public concession. After insulting the huge crowds that poured into the street by dismissing them as “dust,” the president issued a statement on state television, according to The Associated Press:

“I only addressed those who made riot, set fires and attacked people. Every single Iranian is valuable. The government is at everyone’s service. We like everyone.”

Isn't that nice? For more on the Basijis who have been terrorizing the demostrators, check here.

In other news:

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's supreme leader on Friday rejected opposition claims that last week's presidential elections were rigged, describing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's win as "definitive" and calling for calm after days of protest.

In his first speech since the June 12 election outcome sparked the country's worst unrest in 30 years, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the vote accurately reflected the will of the people and accused "enemies of Islam" of stoking anger.

The "Islamic establishment would never manipulate votes and commit treason. The legal structure in this country does not allow vote-rigging," Khamenei said, in his first address since the elections.He told a large crowd at Tehran University that the huge turnout of more than 40 million voters meant the election was too large to have been manipulated."There is a difference of 11 million votes. How can vote-rigging happen?" he added.

It doesn't sound like much of a compromise is in the works. Its clear the regime is buying for time hoping the demonstrations fade away before the regime is burnt away.