In greater numbers than ever before, Iranians had bought in to the sliver of democracy offered by an autocratic system whose ultimate loyalty is to the will of God rather than the will of the people. Almost 40 million voted. Now, their votes flouted, many have crossed over from reluctant acquiescence to the Islamic Republic into opposition. That’s a fundamental shift.
The Islamic Republic has lost legitimacy. It is fissured. It will not be the same again.

~Roger Cohen

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From the Shahnameh, Iran's national epic poem, written in the 10th century:

"Explain yourself! Plead your case

before us now. Bring some sense

to why my son, from among

all your subjects, must satisfy those serpents

with his brains. Submit your words to the world

and let the world judge your worth!”