Citing Sandstorm, Officials Shut Down Iranian Capital

          
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          July 08, 2009
          Citing Sandstorm, Officials Shut Down Iranian
          Capital
          TEHRAN - - Authorities in the Iranian capital have ordered state offices and businesses there closed on
          July 9 due to fierce sandstorms, Radio Farda reports.
          Iranian opposition groups have noted that the timing of the closure is convenient for officials still eagerto
          combat public expressions of frustration over the country's June 12 election, which detractors and two
          losing candidates allege was massively flawed.
          July 9 is also the anniversary of student protests and rioting 10 years ago that sparked an intense and
          protracted crackdown against proponents of Iranian political reform.
          There were reportedly concerns that the most recent election's detractors might try to schedule protests
          to coincide with memories of that clampdown.
          The situation in Iran remains tense nearly one month after incumbent Mahmud Ahmadinejad was
          anointed the winner of a presidential election that saw unprecedented public participation during the
          campaign.
          The opposition has repeatedly demanded a fresh election, and influential elements of Iranian society
          have echoed those calls .
          Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the main vetting body, the Guardians Council, have rejected
          complaints and declared Ahmadinejad the undisputed winner.
          Week long sandstorms paralyzed swaths of neighboring Iraq last week, resulting in hundreds of hospital
          visits from related illness or injury.
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