LONG, HOT SUMMER COMING:

Iran opposition figure lashes out at regime (ALI AKBAR DAREINI, 05/22/10, AP)

A senior opposition figure accused Iran’s hardline judiciary and conservative lawmakers of being instruments in the intimidation of pro-reform activists and the trampling of constitutional rights.

The remarks by Mahdi Karroubi, who has often criticized Iran’s leadership, were posted late Friday on his party’s website.

They come three weeks ahead of the first anniversary of the disputed June 2009 election, which the opposition claims President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won through massive vote fraud. The opposition says its leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, was the rightful winner of the balloting.