Fairly recently, the New York Times has discovered Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. Twice in November they have written articles posting clips from some of his speeches and writings. See here: November 21st, and here: November 30th. The first article outlines a bit of history and some of his religious pronouncements about recent developments in Iran, while the second focuses on admonishing the Basijis not to rely on true religious sanction for their violence in the streets.
Another cleric to highlight is Grand Ayatollah Sanei. He has also recently been an outspoken critic of the regime, but failed to make the NYT.
The problem with the NYT articles is not that they are featuring Ayatollah Montazeri. He is a great and brave man who fills my heart with admiration every time I see him. The problem is that the way the articles frame him, one might think he just started criticizing the regime or that people just started listening. This is disingenuous because Montazeri, an outspoken critic of the regime, has been doing this for going on 20 years. Make sure you read the first article carefully. In the event that you desire more background here is an excellent video on YouTube. It runs about eight minutes, I would have embedded it, but that has been disallowed: Iran's Rebel Ayatollah. There are a number of clerics in Qom who follow Montazeri's speeches and writings.
The second article about his message to the Basijis is directed at some protests that may occur on December 7th, Student's Day. He speaks in religious terms to appeal to many of the young and religious members of the Basiji who are true believers. Like any group, the Basiji have only a few who are really in it for the power and violence, most take the ideology of their mullahs seriously and want to serve good. He's appealing to them, in language they will understand similar to the letter he wrote in the heat of the post election protests. In case you do not remember the letter you can see it here: June 16th Letter. Although he is a relentless critic of the regime, it is important to note that he is trying to show the Iranian people how they should live, and what is right.
This is truly how I believe things will change in Iran--through leadership with and inspired by the clergy. I look at Montazeri as a modern-day John Locke in the aftermath of Puritan rule in England, trying to define a just basis for governing within a religious context for a religious society.
To emphasize this, Montazeri is not alone. Grand Ayatollah Sanei has also been very critical of the government. Not only is he a Grand Ayatollah, but he was a long-time associate and follower of Ayatollah Khomeini going back to the late 1950s when they met. In the 1980s he served in the Judiciary advising on Islamic Law. He now vocally supports women's equality, a just, democratic government based on the people's vote etc. Fortunately, his website is translated into English, so you can read it for yourself here: Ayatollah Saanei's Website.
In addition, there is a YouTube video with English translations. The video is a montage, so it skips from issue to issue. My guess would be that these clips came from an hour-long sermon. In this video Sanei praises Reform candidate Mousavi for his character and his religious piety. He can say this because he knows the man, and he knows that Mousavi can provide calm and just leadership. The Shi'a Clergy in Iran is not monolithic, and it is a great mistake to think so. Both these Grand Ayatollahs support the Reformers, and both of them are free to speak--for now.
The possibility for change in Iran, although dim at the moment, is still there. Radical change, or change initiated from outside is very risky. True reform is hard work, and it comes from within. It cannot be imposed. It starts with people in the streets, and moves to their institutions because people and leaders insist that institutions must change. Change is better if it comes with a calm voice, as Ayatollah Sanei emphasizes in the video. He urges reformers to explain their positions calmly and to carefully, without threats, move toward their goals. Those of us outside Iran should do the same. Confrontation, anger and threats will only re-enforce the forceful in Iranian society. People who have already taken too much--more than they deserve.