Page "Iranian reform movement" Paragraph 20

According to journalist Afshin Molavi, many Iranians hoped the day would lead to an uprising that would " break the back " of the hardliners, but instead the Islamic Republic " employed violence, intimidation, and sophisticated carrot-and-stick approach to suck the wind out of the demonstrations.

" In addition to a show of force and numerous checkpoints, the state used sophisticated jamming technology to black out satellite all the television feed and allowed the holding of ( rare ) outdoor pop concerts to draw young people away from the demonstrations.

Dartar-e Tahkim-e-Vahdat also hurt its cause by calling for foreigners, the UN ,- to assist it against the government.