Next "coup" against Iran via foreign media, says general

Aug 9, 2009, 12:28 GMT

Tehran - An Iranian general warned Sunday that the next 'coup' against Iran would be via the foreign media, the official news agency IRNA reported.

'Right after the failure of the Green Coup, the foreign elements and their agents inside have started programming the next phase of the coup against Iran,' said General Massoud Jazayeri, a deputy commander of the Iranian army.

Green Coup refers to the reform movement of opposition leader Mir- Hossein Moussavi who had chosen the colour as symbol for change in Iran.

'The new coup scenario is using intelligence, security and espionage via the (foreign) media and this new plan requires special attention,' Jazayeri added.

The disputed presidential elections on June 12 that gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad another term of office led to widespread opposition protests over alleged fraud.

More than 1,000 demonstrators, including journalists, foreign embassy staff and former officials were arrested.

Although most of those detained have been released, over 100 currently are being tried as alleged dissidents in Tehran's Revolutionary Court on charges of espionage and attempting to topple Iran's Islamic system.

One of the main charges against defendants in the two court sessions held so far has been that of contact with the foreign press, including the Persian-language service of the BBC, accessible via satellite and a popular source of news in Iran.

The social networking website Facebook, which many protestors used to transfer information and pictures, has also come into focus at the trial.

The Culture Ministry has extended accreditation for foreign journalists inside Iran by one year but direct media coverage of the protests and contacts with opposition figures is forbidden.