TEHERAN: Democrat insurgents in Northern Iran have captured the Caspian Sea-port of Bandarshah, according to reports received in Teheran late last evening [Dec 6], confirming early rumours that the rebel movement is spreading towards the holy city of Meshed. The reports said that at Bandarshah, the Democrats had occupied the Government building.

The police in Teheran have been placed in a permanent state of alert in case of any sudden attempt at disorder in the capital.... The optimism of the Prime Minister, Ibrahim Hakimi, who yesterday denied reports that he intended to resign, is not shared by members of the Majlis (Parliament), cables Reuter’s correspondent. A movement for coming to terms with Russia is growing in the Majlis. The leader of this group, Quavamus Saltaneh, already has 45 Deputies with him. Russian troops yesterday moved behind Persian troops screening the northern provinces placing themselves between troops and Teheran, it is learned here.

The stoppage of food supplies from the north on which Teheran depends has been lifted slightly, but not enough to stop the rapid rise of food prices, cables Reuter’s special correspondent.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2020