…With his Nowruz message, the former prime minister sought to prove that he finally has a grip on the situation — that by spreading the word to the middle and working classes, the movement will return to its rightful path, revitalize its image as a civil, nonviolent campaign, and eventually revive the constitutional right to free elections. But the reception has been poor. Mousavi failed to strike a chord with those whom he would claim as supporters. “All he does is talk, talk, talk,” Naqi said. “We want action. We need a man who can walk the walk and not just talk the talk, and barely at that.”

A gesture that could help the struggling Mousavi, the defeated presidential candidate, transform into an inspiring leader capable of bringing about change is standing up to the ayatollah-in-charge. Only such a move can rejuvenate the waning opposition, garner the support needed for more effective acts of noviolent protest — such as the nationwide strikes that crippled the Shah — and prove to freedom-seeking Iranians that he means business.

It is time for Mousavi to realize that as long as he plays the game according to the rules set by the Islamic Republic, he cannot win. No one will.