Clip from IRI's official news channel - Tehran University political science professor criticizes the Iranian government's policy towards U.S.

This clip is very interesting...it's about seven minutes. The debate is in Persian with English subtitles. I have reviewed it twice with the subtitles and the translation is accurate.

This is a rarity on official state-run TV. Let me know what you think. I'm looking for your comments.

Guess what?! Access to facebook is restored in Iran again!

I just received a response from a friend in Iran regrading my comment on a photo that I made a few days ago. He apologized to me for such a delay in his response due to the restrictions.

And then I just saw this. I guess people have access, for now.

Confusion over access to facebook in Iran!!!

After the post below, I was informed through two independent sources that their families and relatives have direct access to facebook without using proxies. Through a third party, I was also informed that at least one person in Iran was unable to access facebook.

It appears that BBC's account was either inaccurate or according to CNN the ban was temporarily lifted a few hours after it went into effect only to be reinstated.

ILNA, the Iranian Labour News Agency based in Tehran first reported it yesterday and has been the primary source of this developing story.

I welcome any of you to provide us with more information regarding this issue, especially from people trying to access facebook from Iran.

Iranian government blocks access to facebook...

...ahead of the June's presidential elections. Apparently, the move was aimed at stopping a key reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, to use facebook for his campaign. He has over 5,000 supporters on facebook so far.

Not to worry folks. Iranians are no strangers to government's policy of blocking websites and have found ways to access these sites anyway!

Just take a close look at these two pictures!

The caption simply reads:

"Oh how there are so many friends in captivity.
The ones we don't even know.
Or even know their names.
Oh how there are so many.

Wishing for Kaveh and Jelveh's freedom and so many others."

By the way, Saberi arrived on U.S. soil on Saturday.

مرگ بر سیب زمینی Potatoes-for-votes protest blights Iran's presidential elections

This is too funny not to post. Apparently, reformist rivals accuse President Ahmadinejad of using 'bumper crop' of potatoes to lure voters.

End of Saberi's chapter in Iran

She left Iran today, first to Austria, then probably to North Dakota! She won't be back in Iran for a long time because of what she endured and her bitter experience at the end.

Expect to see her on your TV sets very soon doing interviews!!!

Tarjama/Translation Exhibition at the Queens Museum of Art

Tarjama/Translation

This features several artists from Iran and sounds very interesting. Pass it along to your friends in NY/NJ/CN.

I stand corrected - Saberi is staying in Iran for a few...

...days, her father said. She also thanked her supporters, stating that other than spending time with her family and friends she has no specific plans right now.

Saberi is released and...

...on her way back home, if not here already. We all knew she would be eventually, but now we are so relieved!!!