THE boldness of Mahmoud Vahidnia's comments demonstrates how the post-election turmoil has undermined the once rock-solid taboo against challenging Iran's supreme leader. During demonstrations, young protesters have frequently chanted "Death to the dictator" – referring to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – and even "Khamenei is a murderer". High-ranking pro-opposition clerics have also been openly critical.
The supreme leader stands at the top of the hierarchy of Iran's clerical rulers, and his word is supposed to be final on political issues. Scores of Iranian writers, bloggers and academics have been jailed for writing what the authorities have deemed
insults to him. But so far Mr Vahidnia has been spared. The president of Sharif University has defended him, saying he spoke within the law.
Mr Vahidnia, a gold medallist at the country's National Maths Olympics two years ago, told the pro-opposition Alef website that officials at first barred him from speaking, but the ayatollah apparently allowed him to go on. He said he was interrupted several times by the event's moderator.
Mr Vahidnia could not be reached for comment.
On the evening of the encounter, state TV aired excerpts of the ayatollah's speech, but did not show Mr Vahidnia or mention the exchange. A few days later it ran a report denying rumours he had been arrested and showed him at the gathering.
In Italy, two members of parliament have called for their government to offer Mr Vahidnia asylum. Benedetto Della Vedova called the student a symbol of the "demands for change and modernity" in Iran. Angelo Bonelli praised his "courage" and urged political leaders to stand by his "fight for rights and democracy".
Mr Vahidnia's comments were so brazen and unprecedented that many Iranians thought the discussion was staged.
"I thought it was a hoax, to show us that we have freedom here," said one young Iranian woman who has participated in opposition demonstrations, but who asked not to be identified.
"But now that it looks like it was real. I think it's a huge deal," she said. "Never before has anyone had the courage to do such a thing."
