Iran’s Hard-Liners at It Again

Earlier this year Iranian security forces arrested 13 Jews and charged them with spying for Israel and the United States. Since then a number of leading conservative clerics, including the Ayatollah Mohammed Yazdi, the head of Iran’s judiciary, have demanded death sentences for the accused. Both Washington and Jerusalem unequivocally deny that those arrested were involved in espionage. Those denials are credible.

In the 20 years since the revolution, Iran’s hostility toward Israel has exceeded even its animosity toward the United States. The 30,000 or so remaining members of Iran’s ancient Jewish community, though technically a state-protected religious minority, are watched closely by a suspicious regime. In these circumstances it would be not just foolish to engage in spying but virtually suicidal.

The arrested Jews seem instead to be unfortunate pawns in the ongoing power struggle between reform-minded moderates, including President Mohammad Khatami, and the clerical conservatives who are determined to maintain theocratic rule and resist any significant improvement in relations with the West. Khatami was elected in 1997, promising change. He won with strong support from restless younger Iranians and from women, who have been forced to lead constricted lives under rigid Islamic rule. Opposition to the repressive policies demanded by the hard-liners and enforced by their security policy has become bolder and more open, as continuing protests by students in Tehran have shown. Fearful that next spring’s scheduled parliamentary elections could cost them control of the legislature, the conservatives are determined to do all they can to discredit the forces of change.

The espionage allegations against the 13 Jews are meant to convince Iranians that they face a continuing threat from the United States and Israel, two countries the regime has worked overtime to demonize. They cite that alleged threat to justify their repressive measures at home. And they want to embarrass Khatami and weaken his standing abroad.

Germany has reportedly indicated that Khatami’s proposed visit there will be put on hold until the arrestees are released. And the president of the French National Assembly, Laurent Fabius, has warned that if the 13 Jews are executed European nations could be expected to cut their ties with Iran. The Clinton administration’s interest in improving ties with Iran also would evaporate.

The power struggle that will decide Iran’s course in coming years is a long way from playing itself out. There’s good reason to fear that more innocent blood will be shed.