Ayatollah Khamenei stated on Wednesday that questioning the results of the June election is a crime. According to an Associated Press article, Khamenei said “The day after the election, some people, without logic or reason, called the glorious election a lie,” and disputing the election results is “the biggest crime.”
The Supreme Leader’s statement contains an implicit threat to opposition leaders Mahdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi, who continue to question the veracity of the election results. Khamenei also said that he “sent private messages to those who continue to question the election telling them they may not be able to control the future direction of events.”
Thus far, the government has refrained from arresting Karroubi and Mousavi; although, Karroubi is the subject of an investigation over his allegations that government forces raped and tortured protestors after the election. During rallies, protesters have reportedly shouted “If Karroubi is arrested, there will be insurrections across Iran.”
While Khamenei did not order the arrest of the two leaders, his statements may indicate that he is running out of patience with the opposition.
October 28, 2009