. >>> for more on the situation in iran, we're joined once again by ervand abrahamian. a distinguished professor of history at city university of new york. professor abrahamian was born in iran and has written extensively about it. thank you for joining us again. >> thank you for having me. >> we just heard that the conservatives are now speaking out about the severe mistreatment of the political prisoners. why is all of this outrage coming from conservative politicians who we normally would think of supporting the regime? >> there's always been a strain between the conservatives. i would describe them pragmatic conservatives. and more of evangelical conservatives like ahmadinejad. there's been no love loss between them. and i think this present crisis has actually aggravated that difference. >> and is this outspokenness on their part likely to invigorate the opposition? >> it will, but i think what more serious it will show to get in the parliament, a conservative lock to work with ahmadinejad is going to be difficult. because these conservative -- pragmatic conservati

. >>> f more on the situatn in iran, we're joined oncegain b ervand abrahamian. a distinguished professor of history at city uversity of new yo. profeor abrahami was born in iran and haswritten eensively about . ank you for joining us aga. >> thank you f having . >> we just heard nat conservativesre now speakg outbout the severe mistreatment of the political prisoners. why is all ofhis outrage coming from conservave politians who we normally would think o supporting the regime? >> there's always been a strain between the conservaves. i wld describe them pragmatic conservatives. and more of evangelical conservatives like ahmadinejad. there's been no love loss between them. d i think this present crisis is actualy aggrated that difrence. >> and is this tspokenness on their part likely to invigora theoppositn? >> it wll but ihink what mo seriou it will show to getin the parliament, a conservative lock to rk th ahmadejad is going to be difficult. beuse these conservatives, ragmatic consertives, will not go along with ahdinejad's decision, his choice of minters. it's

more on today's protests and that address by former president rafsanjani we turn once again to ervand abrahamian, a distinguished professor at the university of new york. he was born in iran and written several books about that country. welcome back. >> thank you. >> it's been several weeks now of course since we've had this election and the protests. where do things stand in iran right now? >> well, the resentment is still very much there but of course the costs of expressing it in the streets are heavy -- has broken bones. so i would say the opposition is more tempted to go in other directions. today of course some of it came out into the streets but on the whole i would say the opposition to the elections still remains there. of course it's not in a situation -- it's not an environment where a million people can come out to demonstrate. >> why would the government allow mr. rafsanjani to deliver the prayers today when they must know that it would draw the demonstrations? >> i think it's an attempt to tell the opposition that there is someone within their lead that still speaks for you. it's a