Iran preparing for 'bloodbath' crackdown

Screen grab from private video posted on YouTube that shows attempts to save the life of 26-year-old Neda Soltan, who now is hailed as a martyr after her apparent murder during a protest in Tehran

JERUSALEM – Iran is preparing for a massive "bloodbath" crackdown on protesters in the near future if the demonstrations continue to escalate in the coming days, Israeli security sources estimated.

"What we have seen so far is a fraction of Iran's capabilities in suppressing the uprising," said one security source.

"The Islamist regime cannot afford for the protests to be successful. They know the world is watching, but they are still preparing for a bloodbath of proportions that we have yet to witness if it comes to that," the source said.

A second security source added President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his supporters in the Islamic theocracy could come out stronger and more authoritarian than ever if they successfully violently quell the protests and afterward still engage with the international community over issues of Iran's nuclear program.

Thus far, ordinary police as well as the Basij, a plainclothes militia under the command of Iran's notorious Revolutionary Guard, have been used to attempt to hold back the streets protests that erupted after the presidential election results were announced.

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If Revolutionary Guard soldiers are called in, stronger measures are expected.

In a statement today, the Guards warned on its official website it would not hesitate to confront "illegal" protests organized by defeated presidential candidates. The statement also urged the West to stop backing "rioters."

"We will not wait to confront rioters in illegal rallies that were called by some candidates. ... The corps warns bullying powers ... to avoid interfering in Iran's affairs and back rioters," the Guard website reported.

Yesterday, acting joint chief of the armed forces Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid issued a thinly veiled warning to opposition leader Mir Mousavi, saying his group is determined to confront plots by enemies aimed at creating a rift in the nation.

In the protests so far, police reportedly have been firing tear gas, water cannons and guns at the crowds. Multiple reports claim live ammunition has been fired at the protesters.

Iran says at least 17 protesters have been killed, while other reports said to be using hospital data put the actual death toll as of yesterday at 150.

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