Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices. This report is based on the accounts of witnesses reached in Iran and official statements carried on Iranian media.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Iran Body Of Clerics Declare Elections To Be Fair
A body of 12 clerics declared Iran's disputed presidential vote valid and free of major fraud, paving the way for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be sworn in next month despite claims of vote manipulation that sparked weeks of massive protest.
The Guardian Council, an electoral authority the opposition accuses of favoring Ahmadinejad, said Monday that it had found only "slight irregularities" after randomly selecting and recounting 10 percent of nearly 40 million ballots.
From today on, the file on the presidential election has been closed," Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei said on state-run Press TV.
Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi has said Ahmadinejad stole re-election through fraud and demanded a new election. Western analysts have described Ahmadinejad's roughly 2-1 margin of victory as suspicious and improbable.
Conservative Ayatollah Ahmed Jannati, who heads the Guardian Council, said that "meticulous and comprehensive examination" revealed only "slight irregularities that are common to any election and needless of attention," according to the state TV channel IRIB.
The decision ruling out the possibility of a new vote was expected after the country's supreme leader endorsed the vote on June 19. The government had delayed a formal declaration as Mousavi supporters flooded in the streets in protests that were put down through a show of force by riot police and pro-government militiamen.
Mousavi has made few public appearances since then and said he would seek official approval for rallies.
The cleric-led government has said Ahmadinejad will be sworn in for a second term as early as July 26.
The Guardian Council, an electoral authority the opposition accuses of favoring Ahmadinejad, said Monday that it had found only "slight irregularities" after randomly selecting and recounting 10 percent of nearly 40 million ballots.
From today on, the file on the presidential election has been closed," Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei said on state-run Press TV.
Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi has said Ahmadinejad stole re-election through fraud and demanded a new election. Western analysts have described Ahmadinejad's roughly 2-1 margin of victory as suspicious and improbable.
Conservative Ayatollah Ahmed Jannati, who heads the Guardian Council, said that "meticulous and comprehensive examination" revealed only "slight irregularities that are common to any election and needless of attention," according to the state TV channel IRIB.
The decision ruling out the possibility of a new vote was expected after the country's supreme leader endorsed the vote on June 19. The government had delayed a formal declaration as Mousavi supporters flooded in the streets in protests that were put down through a show of force by riot police and pro-government militiamen.
Mousavi has made few public appearances since then and said he would seek official approval for rallies.
The cleric-led government has said Ahmadinejad will be sworn in for a second term as early as July 26.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Women Move To Forefront Of Iran Opposition Movement
For years, women's defiance in Iran came in carefully planned flashes of hair under their head scarves, in brightly painted fingernails, and in trendy clothing that could be glimpsed under bulky coats and cloaks.
But these small acts of rebellion against the theocratic government have been quickly eclipsed in the wake of the disputed June 12 presidential elections. In their place came images of Iranian women marching alongside men, of their scuffles with burly militiamen, of the sobering footage of a young woman named Neda, blood pouring from her mouth and nose minutes after she was fatally shot.
In a part of the Muslim world where women are often repressed, these images have catapulted female demonstrators to the forefront of Iran's opposition movement.
It is a role, say Iranian women and experts, that few seem willing to give up, and one that is likely to present even greater challenges to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hard-line government in the wake of the recent violence and protests.
"Iranian women are very powerful, and they want their freedom," said one woman in Tehran who said she had been taking part in the protests.
Like all women in Iran interviewed for this story, she did not want to be named, fearing government retribution. But, she said, "they're really, really repressed, and they need to talk about it."
The election seemed to open the floodgates for airing that sense of frustration.
Assertions by Ahmadinejad's chief rival for the presidency, Mir Hossein Mousavi, that the election was riddled with fraud were the catalyst for days of protest. The government's harsh response - evidenced in hundreds of arrests, the deaths of more than a dozen demonstrators, clampdowns on the media, the refusal of Iran's theocratic leaders to entertain the possibility of a recount - fueled popular discontent across wide swaths of the population.
But there is an extra layer of resentment and anger among many of Iran's 35 million women. Many fear that a second term for a man first elected in 2005 in part on a platform of restoring "Islamic values" will only prove worse than the first.
"The root of the current unrest is the people's dissatisfaction and frustration at their plight going back before the election," said Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi. "Because women are the most dissatisfied people in society, that is why their presence is more prominent."
But these small acts of rebellion against the theocratic government have been quickly eclipsed in the wake of the disputed June 12 presidential elections. In their place came images of Iranian women marching alongside men, of their scuffles with burly militiamen, of the sobering footage of a young woman named Neda, blood pouring from her mouth and nose minutes after she was fatally shot.
In a part of the Muslim world where women are often repressed, these images have catapulted female demonstrators to the forefront of Iran's opposition movement.
It is a role, say Iranian women and experts, that few seem willing to give up, and one that is likely to present even greater challenges to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hard-line government in the wake of the recent violence and protests.
"Iranian women are very powerful, and they want their freedom," said one woman in Tehran who said she had been taking part in the protests.
Like all women in Iran interviewed for this story, she did not want to be named, fearing government retribution. But, she said, "they're really, really repressed, and they need to talk about it."
The election seemed to open the floodgates for airing that sense of frustration.
Assertions by Ahmadinejad's chief rival for the presidency, Mir Hossein Mousavi, that the election was riddled with fraud were the catalyst for days of protest. The government's harsh response - evidenced in hundreds of arrests, the deaths of more than a dozen demonstrators, clampdowns on the media, the refusal of Iran's theocratic leaders to entertain the possibility of a recount - fueled popular discontent across wide swaths of the population.
But there is an extra layer of resentment and anger among many of Iran's 35 million women. Many fear that a second term for a man first elected in 2005 in part on a platform of restoring "Islamic values" will only prove worse than the first.
"The root of the current unrest is the people's dissatisfaction and frustration at their plight going back before the election," said Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi. "Because women are the most dissatisfied people in society, that is why their presence is more prominent."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Iran Arrests Foreign Nationals
Iranian authorities said Wednesday they have arrested several foreign nationals, some with British passports, in connection with the country's post-election unrest.
Hard-line Iranian students mock British, U.S. and Israeli flags outside the British Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday.
Intelligence Minister Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ezhei told reporters that some with links to the West and Israel had planned bombings ahead of the June 12 presidential election, the government-funded Press TV reported Wednesday.
"England is among the countries that fan the flames with their heavy propaganda, which is against all diplomatic norms," the intelligence minister was quoted in the semi-official Fars news agency. "And the BBC Farsi has also played a major role. Also, a number of people carrying British passports have played a role in the recent disturbances."
The British Foreign Office said it was looking into the allegations.
"We have seen reports of the arrest of British nationals in Iran," the Foreign Office said. "Consular colleagues and the embassy in Tehran are making enquiries."
The Iranian government has long blamed foreign countries, especially Britain, for meddling in its affairs but has not offered up proof.
Tehran said Wednesday it temporarily was recalling its ambassador from London, another move in escalating tit-for-tat gestures between the two governments.
Hard-line Iranian students mock British, U.S. and Israeli flags outside the British Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday.
Intelligence Minister Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ezhei told reporters that some with links to the West and Israel had planned bombings ahead of the June 12 presidential election, the government-funded Press TV reported Wednesday.
"England is among the countries that fan the flames with their heavy propaganda, which is against all diplomatic norms," the intelligence minister was quoted in the semi-official Fars news agency. "And the BBC Farsi has also played a major role. Also, a number of people carrying British passports have played a role in the recent disturbances."
The British Foreign Office said it was looking into the allegations.
"We have seen reports of the arrest of British nationals in Iran," the Foreign Office said. "Consular colleagues and the embassy in Tehran are making enquiries."
The Iranian government has long blamed foreign countries, especially Britain, for meddling in its affairs but has not offered up proof.
Tehran said Wednesday it temporarily was recalling its ambassador from London, another move in escalating tit-for-tat gestures between the two governments.
Press TV said Wednesday that police have identified a building in central Tehran that was being used as a "headquarters" to foment post-election unrest.
The television station, citing unnamed sources, said the building was used by campaign staffers of opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi. Evidence indicated that "foreign elements" were behind the planning, Press TV said.
While the government stepped up its allegations against foreign nations, Tehran residents waited Wednesday to see whether a planned massive peaceful demonstration panned out.
Demonstrators who have taken to the streets in the capital city and elsewhere were expected to gather at a square near the parliament building Wednesday afternoon, according to hints posted on social networking sites.
The television station, citing unnamed sources, said the building was used by campaign staffers of opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi. Evidence indicated that "foreign elements" were behind the planning, Press TV said.
While the government stepped up its allegations against foreign nations, Tehran residents waited Wednesday to see whether a planned massive peaceful demonstration panned out.
Demonstrators who have taken to the streets in the capital city and elsewhere were expected to gather at a square near the parliament building Wednesday afternoon, according to hints posted on social networking sites.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Iranian Soccer Players With Green Wristbands Punished
The Guardian’s Web site revealed that several of the Iranian soccer players who wore green wristbands during the national team’s recent match in South Korea have been punished:
Their gesture attracted worldwide comment and drew the attention of football fans to Iran’s political turmoil. Now the country’s authorities have taken revenge by imposing life bans on players who sported green wristbands in a recent World Cup match in protest against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election.
According to the pro-government newspaper Iran, four players – Ali Karimi, 31, Mehdi Mahdavikia, 32, Hosein Ka’abi, 24 and Vahid Hashemian, 32 – have been “retired” from the sport after their gesture in last Wednesday’s match against South Korea in Seoul.
They were among six players who took to the field wearing wristbands in the colour of the defeated opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, which has been adopted by demonstrators who believe the 12 June election was stolen.
Most of the players obeyed instructions to remove the armwear at half-time, but Mahdavikia wore his green captain’s armband for the entire match. The four are also said to have been banned from giving media interviews.
Their gesture attracted worldwide comment and drew the attention of football fans to Iran’s political turmoil. Now the country’s authorities have taken revenge by imposing life bans on players who sported green wristbands in a recent World Cup match in protest against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election.
According to the pro-government newspaper Iran, four players – Ali Karimi, 31, Mehdi Mahdavikia, 32, Hosein Ka’abi, 24 and Vahid Hashemian, 32 – have been “retired” from the sport after their gesture in last Wednesday’s match against South Korea in Seoul.
They were among six players who took to the field wearing wristbands in the colour of the defeated opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, which has been adopted by demonstrators who believe the 12 June election was stolen.
Most of the players obeyed instructions to remove the armwear at half-time, but Mahdavikia wore his green captain’s armband for the entire match. The four are also said to have been banned from giving media interviews.
Neda Killing Was Staged -- Iranian Television
Reuters reports that Iranian state television has suggested that Neda Agha-Soltan’s killing was staged:
Iranian TV, quoting unnamed source, said Neda was not shot by a bullet used by Iranian security forces. It said filming of the scene, and its swift broadcast to foreign media, suggested the incident was planned.
On Monday night we noted that an Iranian student writing for The Daily Beast said that his parents, who watch only state-controlled television, refused to believe that this young woman could have been killed by the Iranian government.
Reuters adds:
Iranian state television, in a broadcasts clearly intended to discredit opponents defying a ban on protests, paraded people it said had been arrested during weekend violence. “I think we were provoked by networks like the BBC and the VOA (Voice of America) to take such immoral actions,” one young man said. His face was shown but his name not given.
Iranian TV, quoting unnamed source, said Neda was not shot by a bullet used by Iranian security forces. It said filming of the scene, and its swift broadcast to foreign media, suggested the incident was planned.
On Monday night we noted that an Iranian student writing for The Daily Beast said that his parents, who watch only state-controlled television, refused to believe that this young woman could have been killed by the Iranian government.
Reuters adds:
Iranian state television, in a broadcasts clearly intended to discredit opponents defying a ban on protests, paraded people it said had been arrested during weekend violence. “I think we were provoked by networks like the BBC and the VOA (Voice of America) to take such immoral actions,” one young man said. His face was shown but his name not given.
President Obama Address To News Conference in Washington
President Barack Obama addressed the crisis in Iran during a news conference in Washington on Tuesday:
President Obama condemned Iran’s aggressive response to the mass protests that have swept the country after its contested elections, saying that the United States and the international community “have been appalled and outraged” by the intimidation, beating and detention of peaceful demonstrators.
“I’ve made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty” of Iran, he said. “But we must also bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore the violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.”
He also said that comments by Iranian officials blaming the United States, Britain and other Western nations for inciting the protests were “patently false” and a “tired strategy to use old tensions to scapegoat other countries” that will not work.
“Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history,” he said.
President Obama condemned Iran’s aggressive response to the mass protests that have swept the country after its contested elections, saying that the United States and the international community “have been appalled and outraged” by the intimidation, beating and detention of peaceful demonstrators.
“I’ve made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty” of Iran, he said. “But we must also bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore the violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.”
He also said that comments by Iranian officials blaming the United States, Britain and other Western nations for inciting the protests were “patently false” and a “tired strategy to use old tensions to scapegoat other countries” that will not work.
“Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history,” he said.
Iran Election Violence , World's Reaction
Uncharacteristically it has been Europe, rather than the US, which has been the most vocal in condemning Iran's use of force in quelling the street protests that have left at least 17 dead.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has invoked the regime's anger by calling for a recount of the June 12 election that returned hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has invoked the regime's anger by calling for a recount of the June 12 election that returned hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
France summoned Iran's ambassador to express concern about what it called "brutal repression" of protesters in Tehran while Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden also summoned Iranian envoys in their capitals.
Italy has said it is prepared to open its embassy to wounded protesters, while the Czech Republic, which currently holds the European Union presidency, has called for EU members to consider summoning the heads of Iran's missions in Europe to protest against post-election violence.
President Obama has been notably cautious, preferring to adopt a "wait and see" approach and stressing the US has not been involved in fomenting unrest but said he "strongly condemned" the killing of protesters.
Russia – long an ally of the Iranian regime – has appeared to back those in power by calling for a constitutional resolution to the crisis.
China has also backed President Ahmadinejad, with its foreign ministry saying it respected what it called "the choice of the Iranian people".
Syria, which has deep links with Iran, has criticised the street protests.
The response of Gulf states, which fear the onset of Iranian dominance in the region, has been mixed.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, appeared to back Tehran's claims of Western meddling on Monday, saying interference was "unacceptable".
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose leaders worry that a warming of relations between Washington and Tehran will weaken their position as the key regional power, newspapers and television channels have given extensive coverage to Iran's troubles.
Italy has said it is prepared to open its embassy to wounded protesters, while the Czech Republic, which currently holds the European Union presidency, has called for EU members to consider summoning the heads of Iran's missions in Europe to protest against post-election violence.
President Obama has been notably cautious, preferring to adopt a "wait and see" approach and stressing the US has not been involved in fomenting unrest but said he "strongly condemned" the killing of protesters.
Russia – long an ally of the Iranian regime – has appeared to back those in power by calling for a constitutional resolution to the crisis.
China has also backed President Ahmadinejad, with its foreign ministry saying it respected what it called "the choice of the Iranian people".
Syria, which has deep links with Iran, has criticised the street protests.
The response of Gulf states, which fear the onset of Iranian dominance in the region, has been mixed.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, appeared to back Tehran's claims of Western meddling on Monday, saying interference was "unacceptable".
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose leaders worry that a warming of relations between Washington and Tehran will weaken their position as the key regional power, newspapers and television channels have given extensive coverage to Iran's troubles.
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Monday, June 22, 2009
Grave Of Wounded Young Woman on TwitPic
An Iranian blogger has uploaded to TwitPic what he says is a photograph of the grave of Neda Soltani, a young woman who was shot and killed on Saturday in Tehran. As we’ve reported over the past two days, the graphic video of the woman identified as Ms. Soltani, bleeding and in agony after being shot, has circulated widely online in the past 48 hours.
The photograph carries the caption: “NEDA sleep here.”
The photograph carries the caption: “NEDA sleep here.”
Twitter feed attributed to Mojtaba Samienejad, an Iranian blogger who has been detained in the past, reported about 20 minutes ago that a memorial for the young woman who was killed on Saturday, Neda Soltani, did take place on Monday in Tehran:
Conflict in Hafte Tir Sq between people and Basij and police
People are gathered for Neda Agha Soltan’s mourning / in Hftetir SQ
in all buildings in Hafte Tir , Poice with gun are staying
Reuters reported earlier that about 1,000 people had gathered in Tehran, possibly for this memorial. According to a later brief report from A.P., police used tear gas and shots fired in the air to disperse protesters.
Conflict in Hafte Tir Sq between people and Basij and police
People are gathered for Neda Agha Soltan’s mourning / in Hftetir SQ
in all buildings in Hafte Tir , Poice with gun are staying
Reuters reported earlier that about 1,000 people had gathered in Tehran, possibly for this memorial. According to a later brief report from A.P., police used tear gas and shots fired in the air to disperse protesters.
Democrats Defend Obama's Hand Off Approach
Democrats defended President Barack Obama's hands-off approach to the crisis in Iran, urging him to avoid leaving US "fingerprints" despite pressure from opposition Republicans for bolder US action.
Obama received an update on the situation in Iran during a 30-minute Oval Office session with his foreign policy advisers, an administration official said, but the White House issued no new statements.
Obama received an update on the situation in Iran during a 30-minute Oval Office session with his foreign policy advisers, an administration official said, but the White House issued no new statements.
According to Iranian state television, at least 17 people have been killed in a week of massive street protests unleashed since the disputed June 12 election returned hardline incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
The showdown in Tehran was a hot topic on weekend television talk shows in the United States, with Republicans criticizing Obama for timidity in the face of the most serious upheaval in Iran since its 1979 Islamic revolution.
The United States needs to be on the "right side of history" as concerns its response to the disputed elections and subsequent protests, said Senator John McCain, Obama's defeated opponent in the 2008 presidential election.
"The fine line is being dictated by the brutalities on the streets of Tehran and other cities," the Arizona Republican told CBS television.
"The United States hasn't done anything."
Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said officials responsible for US clandestine operations had given assurances that they had not interfered in the Iranian elections or the ensuing protests.
"I don't think our intelligence candidly is that good," she told CNN.
"I think it's a very difficult country in which to collect intelligence right now. So I think our ability to get in there and change the course of human events is very low, to be very candid with you."
Iranian leaders blamed meddling by the United States and Britain for a week of post-election unrest that has put its country's clerical leadership to an unprecedented test.
Iran's state television said at least 10 people were killed in unrest Saturday when security forces using tear gas and water cannons clashed with protesters. The deaths raised the official toll to at least 17 killed in the past week.
Iranian authorities reportedly detained a Newsweek journalist and expelled a BBC correspondent in latest moves to squeeze off foreign coverage.
In his strongest statement yet, Obama on Saturday called on the Iranian government to stop "all violent and unjust actions" against protesters but has refrained from more direct attacks on the regime.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Iran's Mousavi Urges More Protests
The politician at the centre of Iran's opposition movement has called on his supporters to continue their protests over the country's disputed presidential election in the face of a growing security crackdown.
In a statement released on Sunday, Mir Hossein Mousavi said that people had the right to protest against "lies and fraud", but urged them to show restraint as they take to the streets.
Mousavi's statement, published on the website of his Kalameh newspaper and on sites run by supporters, came as police imposed a virtual lockdown on the streets of Tehran amid reports of fresh clashes in the north of the city.
State media has said between 10 and 13 people were killed in protests on Saturday against the government, but independent confirmation is difficult because the government has imposed severe restrictions on foreign journalists.
In depth
The latest on Iran's post-election unrest
Send us your videos and pictures from Iran
In the latest crackdowns on reporters a BBC correspondent has been expelled from the country, the Dubai-based TV network Al-Arabiya has been suspended and at least two local journalists for US magazines have been arrested.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's conservative incumbent president, was declared the winner of the June 12 presidential election with a landslide victory, but Mousavi and another challenger have complained that the vote was rigged.
On Sunday, reports emerged of police attacking a vigil by about 100 people outside the offices of the United Nations in Tehran.
The incident was the first violence since Saturday, when several people were killed in clashes between protesters and police around Revolution Square and Azadi Square in the centre of the Iranian capital.
In his statement, Mousavi said he would stand by the protesters "at all times" but also called on his supporters to exercise "self-restraint".
Five members of Rafsanjani's family were arrested after Saturday's protests [EPA]
"The revolution is your legacy. To protest against lies and fraud is your right. Be hopeful that you will get your right and do not allow others who want to provoke your anger … to prevail."
Underscoring the escalating political crisis, the government said it had arrested the daughter and four other relatives of Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president and one of the country's most powerful ayatollahs.
In a statement released on Sunday, Mir Hossein Mousavi said that people had the right to protest against "lies and fraud", but urged them to show restraint as they take to the streets.
Mousavi's statement, published on the website of his Kalameh newspaper and on sites run by supporters, came as police imposed a virtual lockdown on the streets of Tehran amid reports of fresh clashes in the north of the city.
State media has said between 10 and 13 people were killed in protests on Saturday against the government, but independent confirmation is difficult because the government has imposed severe restrictions on foreign journalists.
In depth
The latest on Iran's post-election unrest
Send us your videos and pictures from Iran
In the latest crackdowns on reporters a BBC correspondent has been expelled from the country, the Dubai-based TV network Al-Arabiya has been suspended and at least two local journalists for US magazines have been arrested.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's conservative incumbent president, was declared the winner of the June 12 presidential election with a landslide victory, but Mousavi and another challenger have complained that the vote was rigged.
On Sunday, reports emerged of police attacking a vigil by about 100 people outside the offices of the United Nations in Tehran.
The incident was the first violence since Saturday, when several people were killed in clashes between protesters and police around Revolution Square and Azadi Square in the centre of the Iranian capital.
In his statement, Mousavi said he would stand by the protesters "at all times" but also called on his supporters to exercise "self-restraint".
Five members of Rafsanjani's family were arrested after Saturday's protests [EPA]
"The revolution is your legacy. To protest against lies and fraud is your right. Be hopeful that you will get your right and do not allow others who want to provoke your anger … to prevail."
Underscoring the escalating political crisis, the government said it had arrested the daughter and four other relatives of Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president and one of the country's most powerful ayatollahs.
Mahmoud Ahmedinajad Asks Britain and US to Stop Interfering in Iran
Reuters, citing Iran’s internal ISNA news agency, reports that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran called on the United States and Britain to stop interfering in the Islamic Republic’s internal affairs.
“Definitely by hasty remarks you will not be placed in the circle of friendship with the Iranian nation. Therefore I advise you to correct your interfering stances,” Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a meeting with clerics and scholars.
The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani, echoed Mr. Ahmadinejad’s comments on Sunday, warning the U.S., Britain, Germany and France not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs lest Iran respond to them in other fields, according to ISNA.
Stances adopted by the president of the United States, Britain’s prime minister, Germany’s chancellor and France’s president over Iran’s presidential elections and its developments showed other aspects of their adventurism when it comes to Iranians, he said.
It is embarrassing that the U.S., which has resorted to every cruelty on Iran’s nation over half a century, including backing the toppled Shah’s regime inhumane brutalities against people and imposing Iraq war on Iran, is now worried about Iran’s territorial integrity and human rights, Mr. Larijani added. He said to the U.S., “You showed the deceitful meaning of change too soon.”
“We Iranians know the way to resolve our differences very well. There is no need to your opportunistic and imperialistic gestures,” he said.
“Definitely by hasty remarks you will not be placed in the circle of friendship with the Iranian nation. Therefore I advise you to correct your interfering stances,” Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a meeting with clerics and scholars.
The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani, echoed Mr. Ahmadinejad’s comments on Sunday, warning the U.S., Britain, Germany and France not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs lest Iran respond to them in other fields, according to ISNA.
Stances adopted by the president of the United States, Britain’s prime minister, Germany’s chancellor and France’s president over Iran’s presidential elections and its developments showed other aspects of their adventurism when it comes to Iranians, he said.
It is embarrassing that the U.S., which has resorted to every cruelty on Iran’s nation over half a century, including backing the toppled Shah’s regime inhumane brutalities against people and imposing Iraq war on Iran, is now worried about Iran’s territorial integrity and human rights, Mr. Larijani added. He said to the U.S., “You showed the deceitful meaning of change too soon.”
“We Iranians know the way to resolve our differences very well. There is no need to your opportunistic and imperialistic gestures,” he said.
West's Undue Interference in Iran
Iranian officials have lashed out at some Western countries, particularly Britain and the United States, over their "interference" in Iran's election affairs as the country has been hit by post-vote unrest.
In his speech to foreign diplomats in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was "highly critical of some Western countries, specifically France, Germany, Britain and the U.S., for their inappropriate, illogical and interfering words."
Mottaki also pointed out "an inflooding of British intelligence officials ahead of the election" into Iran, the English-language satellite channel Press TV reported.
The Iranian Foreign Minister insisted that Iran's election process and the whole observing structure make the possibility of any irregularities or vote rigging "close to zero."
Mottaki also criticized some foreign media outlets and television channels for beating "the drums of war" in their reports of Iran's post-election disputes.
The correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in Iran, Jon Leyne, has been ordered to leave the country within 24 hours, Iran's Fars news agency reported Sunday.
Leyne was expelled under the charges of, among other things, making fabricated news reports and supporting rioters, Fars said.
His expulsion came one day after Iran accused Voice of America (VOA) and the BBC of stirring up unrest in the country amid a dispute over the recent presidential election.
The two news outlets sought to stir up ethnic discord across Iran in the hope of fomenting the country's disintegration, Press TV quoted Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi as saying on Saturday.
"The channels act as command posts engineering the ongoing post-election riots," Qashqavi said.
Since disputes broke out after Iran's June 12 presidential election, the Western governments have been demanding Iran to allow peaceful protests and ensure a fair result.
In his speech to foreign diplomats in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was "highly critical of some Western countries, specifically France, Germany, Britain and the U.S., for their inappropriate, illogical and interfering words."
Mottaki also pointed out "an inflooding of British intelligence officials ahead of the election" into Iran, the English-language satellite channel Press TV reported.
The Iranian Foreign Minister insisted that Iran's election process and the whole observing structure make the possibility of any irregularities or vote rigging "close to zero."
Mottaki also criticized some foreign media outlets and television channels for beating "the drums of war" in their reports of Iran's post-election disputes.
The correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in Iran, Jon Leyne, has been ordered to leave the country within 24 hours, Iran's Fars news agency reported Sunday.
Leyne was expelled under the charges of, among other things, making fabricated news reports and supporting rioters, Fars said.
His expulsion came one day after Iran accused Voice of America (VOA) and the BBC of stirring up unrest in the country amid a dispute over the recent presidential election.
The two news outlets sought to stir up ethnic discord across Iran in the hope of fomenting the country's disintegration, Press TV quoted Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi as saying on Saturday.
"The channels act as command posts engineering the ongoing post-election riots," Qashqavi said.
Since disputes broke out after Iran's June 12 presidential election, the Western governments have been demanding Iran to allow peaceful protests and ensure a fair result.
Westwood , Protest To Iran Elections
Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in front of the Federal Building in Westwood today, the latest in a string of local protests over allegations of voter fraud in the June 12 Iranian election.
Demonstrators are holding signs that read “stop the killing” in a showing of solidarity for protesters in Iran who are facing a violent crackdown against challenges to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's reelection.
“I personally feel this is [a] movement. It’s an awakening,” said Saro Menar, a 28-year-old graduate student at USC who grew up in Tehran. “It’s not going to go away by cracking down on people.”
Demonstrators are holding signs that read “stop the killing” in a showing of solidarity for protesters in Iran who are facing a violent crackdown against challenges to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's reelection.
“I personally feel this is [a] movement. It’s an awakening,” said Saro Menar, a 28-year-old graduate student at USC who grew up in Tehran. “It’s not going to go away by cracking down on people.”
Iran's State Television on "Terrorist Groups"
Iran state television alleged the clashes were between security forces and "terrorist groups" with firearms and explosives.
Another report from state television originally claimed several people were killed when rioters torched a mosque in Tehran, but later said nobody died in the fire.
An estimated 3,000 people took to the city's streets on Saturday, in protest against Iran's disputed presidential election on June 12.
Eyewitnesses said protesters chanted "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to dictatorship!" as violence flared near Revolution Square in the city centre.
A graphic video has emerged online which appears to show a teenage girl dying after being shot by militia during Saturday's violence.
Still, The iranian state media claiming that the riots are by the "terrorist groups"!!!
Another report from state television originally claimed several people were killed when rioters torched a mosque in Tehran, but later said nobody died in the fire.
An estimated 3,000 people took to the city's streets on Saturday, in protest against Iran's disputed presidential election on June 12.
Eyewitnesses said protesters chanted "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to dictatorship!" as violence flared near Revolution Square in the city centre.
A graphic video has emerged online which appears to show a teenage girl dying after being shot by militia during Saturday's violence.
Still, The iranian state media claiming that the riots are by the "terrorist groups"!!!
Protests and Riots in Iran
An estimated 3,000 people took to the city's streets on Saturday, in protest against Iran's disputed presidential election on June 12.
Eyewitnesses said protesters chanted "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to dictatorship!" as violence flared near Revolution Square in the city centre.
A graphic video has emerged online which appears to show a teenage girl dying after being shot by militia during Saturday's violence.
The girl, known as "Neda", has become a rallying cry for those opposed to the Iranian hardline government.
"Neda, your death will not be in vain," reads one message on Twitter, where her name has become a call sign for anti-government bloggers and one of the site's most mentioned words.
The reported bloodshed follows threats from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday that fresh opposition unrest would be met with "blood, violence and chaos".
A new opposition newspaper called Khyaboon or "The Street" has claimed Iranian forces have been removing bodies of those killed in the violence to keep official death tolls low.
Amnesty International cautioned that it was "perilously hard" to verify the casualty tolls.
Amateur video posted online appears to show signs of unrest in other major cities across Iran, including Shiraz, Rasht and Esfahan.
Meanwhile, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on Britain and the United States to stop interfering in the Islamic Republic's internal affairs, the ISNA news agency said.
His foreign minister went further, accusing Britain of seeking to sabotage the disputed presidential election that returned Mr Ahmadinejad to power, triggering mass protests.
The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, slammed Mr Mottaki's comments, saying his allegations were "without foundation".
He said: "The UK is categorical that it is for the Iranian people to choose their government, and for the Iranian authorities to ensure the fairness of the result and the protection of their own people.
"I therefore deplore the continuing violence against those seeking to exercise their right of expression."
Further outbreaks of violence are expected after Iran's main opposition leader attacked the Islamist government and said the nation must be purged of "lies and dishonesty".
Mirhossein Mousavi warned of "consequences" if a crackdown on demonstrations continues.
The opposition leader, who accuses Iran's leaders of rigging the presidential poll, has led a major outpouring of public opposition after official results returned hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power with a landslide majority.
World leaders have also voiced mounting alarm over the unrest - the worst to rock Iran since the turmoil of the 1979 revolution that ousted the US-backed shah and brought an Islamic regime to power.
Eyewitnesses said protesters chanted "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to dictatorship!" as violence flared near Revolution Square in the city centre.
A graphic video has emerged online which appears to show a teenage girl dying after being shot by militia during Saturday's violence.
The girl, known as "Neda", has become a rallying cry for those opposed to the Iranian hardline government.
"Neda, your death will not be in vain," reads one message on Twitter, where her name has become a call sign for anti-government bloggers and one of the site's most mentioned words.
The reported bloodshed follows threats from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday that fresh opposition unrest would be met with "blood, violence and chaos".
A new opposition newspaper called Khyaboon or "The Street" has claimed Iranian forces have been removing bodies of those killed in the violence to keep official death tolls low.
Amnesty International cautioned that it was "perilously hard" to verify the casualty tolls.
Amateur video posted online appears to show signs of unrest in other major cities across Iran, including Shiraz, Rasht and Esfahan.
Meanwhile, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called on Britain and the United States to stop interfering in the Islamic Republic's internal affairs, the ISNA news agency said.
His foreign minister went further, accusing Britain of seeking to sabotage the disputed presidential election that returned Mr Ahmadinejad to power, triggering mass protests.
The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, slammed Mr Mottaki's comments, saying his allegations were "without foundation".
He said: "The UK is categorical that it is for the Iranian people to choose their government, and for the Iranian authorities to ensure the fairness of the result and the protection of their own people.
"I therefore deplore the continuing violence against those seeking to exercise their right of expression."
Further outbreaks of violence are expected after Iran's main opposition leader attacked the Islamist government and said the nation must be purged of "lies and dishonesty".
Mirhossein Mousavi warned of "consequences" if a crackdown on demonstrations continues.
The opposition leader, who accuses Iran's leaders of rigging the presidential poll, has led a major outpouring of public opposition after official results returned hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power with a landslide majority.
World leaders have also voiced mounting alarm over the unrest - the worst to rock Iran since the turmoil of the 1979 revolution that ousted the US-backed shah and brought an Islamic regime to power.
Obama Urges Investigation of Iran Election
President Obama, breaking his silence on the disputed presidential elections in Iran, said Iranians are entitled to have every vote counted, urged a full investigation into vote-rigging allegations, and called for an end to violence.
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Speaking during a White House photo opportunity with President Silvio Berlusconi of Italy, Obama said he and all Americans are troubled by reports that protests of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's decisive victory have resulted in bloody clashes. Obama told reporters that any investigation into the elections must not result in bloodshed.
"I am deeply troubled by the violence that I've been seeing on television," the president said. "I think that the democratic process, free speech, the ability of people to peacefully dissent - all those are universal values that need to be respected."
When Americans see violence used to quell peaceful demonstrations "they are rightfully troubled," Obama said. To the protesters, he added, "I would say the world is watching and inspired by the participation."
His remarks came hours after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reversed himself and proclaimed that charges of fraud in this weekend's presidential election would be investigated. At the same time, violence continued to flare in Tehran last night, and at least seven people were killed in street confrontations.
While Ahmadinejad continued to claim that he was reelected by a 2-to-1 ratio in heavy turnout, hundreds of thousands of supporters of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi took to the streets yesterday, accusing Ahmadinejad of rigging the election.
Discuss
COMMENTS ()
Speaking during a White House photo opportunity with President Silvio Berlusconi of Italy, Obama said he and all Americans are troubled by reports that protests of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's decisive victory have resulted in bloody clashes. Obama told reporters that any investigation into the elections must not result in bloodshed.
"I am deeply troubled by the violence that I've been seeing on television," the president said. "I think that the democratic process, free speech, the ability of people to peacefully dissent - all those are universal values that need to be respected."
When Americans see violence used to quell peaceful demonstrations "they are rightfully troubled," Obama said. To the protesters, he added, "I would say the world is watching and inspired by the participation."
His remarks came hours after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reversed himself and proclaimed that charges of fraud in this weekend's presidential election would be investigated. At the same time, violence continued to flare in Tehran last night, and at least seven people were killed in street confrontations.
While Ahmadinejad continued to claim that he was reelected by a 2-to-1 ratio in heavy turnout, hundreds of thousands of supporters of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi took to the streets yesterday, accusing Ahmadinejad of rigging the election.
Police Forces Used Tear Gases and Clubs on Protestors
Security forces made "a very large show of force" in midtown and southeastern Tehran, using tear gas and clubs to beat back protesters as clashes erupted during the unrest.
This comes as demonstrators emerged on city streets to protest last week's elections in defiance of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Friday pronouncement that protests must end.Security forces made "a very large show of force" in midtown and southeastern Tehran, using tear gas and clubs to beat back protesters as clashes erupted during the unrest.Security forces made "a very large show of force" in midtown and southeastern Tehran, using tear gas and clubs to beat back protesters as clashes erupted during the unrest.Security forces made "a very large show of force" in midtown and southeastern Tehran, using tear gas and clubs to beat back protesters as clashes erupted during the unrest.
This comes as demonstrators emerged on city streets to protest last week's elections in defiance of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Friday pronouncement that protests must end. Meanwhile, the Facebook page of Iran's top opposition leader quoted the politician Saturday as saying he is preparing to die. Moussavi, who has led a protest against the government for the June 12 election, said he is preparing himself for martyrdom.
This comes as demonstrators emerged on city streets to protest last week's elections in defiance of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Friday pronouncement that protests must end.Security forces made "a very large show of force" in midtown and southeastern Tehran, using tear gas and clubs to beat back protesters as clashes erupted during the unrest.Security forces made "a very large show of force" in midtown and southeastern Tehran, using tear gas and clubs to beat back protesters as clashes erupted during the unrest.Security forces made "a very large show of force" in midtown and southeastern Tehran, using tear gas and clubs to beat back protesters as clashes erupted during the unrest.
This comes as demonstrators emerged on city streets to protest last week's elections in defiance of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Friday pronouncement that protests must end. Meanwhile, the Facebook page of Iran's top opposition leader quoted the politician Saturday as saying he is preparing to die. Moussavi, who has led a protest against the government for the June 12 election, said he is preparing himself for martyrdom.
Twitter Revolution and Fake Accounts
A Web site called Twit Spam has posted a list of what it says are “possible fakes accounts” on Twitter that “may have connections to the Iranian Security apparatus.” Twit Spam appeals to other Twitter users to “not re-tweet anything from these accounts,” and says that they are “obviously trying to entrap twitter users who are tweeting from Iran or those who obviously are trying to spread misinformation.”
Iranian Twitterers, many writing in English, are posting photos of huge demonstrations and bloodied protestors, detailing crackdowns on students at Tehran University and giving out proxy Web addresses that let users bypass the Islamic Republic's censors.
Dozens of posts were coming in every second on the Web page http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23iranelection Monday morning, with and a slower stream at http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23iranrevolution.
Most of them had to do with a huge rally in central Tehran featuring Mir Hossein Moussavi, the challenger to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The government announced Ahmadinejad had won with a huge majority just hours after the polls closed Friday evening, despite opinion polls showing Moussavi with a strong
Another Tweeter, "Change_for_Iran," stopped posting around 7 a.m. EDT because, as he put it, "it's worth taking the risk, we're going. I won't be able to update until I'm back. again thanks for your kind support and wish us luck."
Even larger was the active reposting of Iranian tweets from people outside the country, doing all they could to spread the word.
"Reaction to Iranian election strong even here in Malaysia," tweeted user "Sombit."
"My wife spoke with relatives in Shiraz: 'They can't arrest 65 million people' was the comment," wrote American "Dereklowe."
User "Guy_Murray," a California lawyer, seemed to be spending most of his morning reposting tweets from Iran.
Facebook Revolution Put To End ?Reports from Tehran say that social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, the micro-blogging website, were taken down after Mr Ahmadinejad claimed victory. SMS text messaging, a preferred medium of communication for young Iranians, has also been disabled. This is widely suspected to be the result of government interference, but could equally be caused by the poor quality of the network and the heavy demand it is experiencing.
"The Internet is now very slow, like the mobile phone network. YouTube and Facebook are hard to access and pro-reform sites . . . are completely inaccessible."
Facebook has not been able to get to the bottom of what is affecting its services. A spokesman for the company said: “We have heard reports that users in Iran are having difficulties accessing Facebook. This is disappointing, especially at a time when citizens are turning to the Internet as a source of information about the recent election.
Iranian Twitterers, many writing in English, are posting photos of huge demonstrations and bloodied protestors, detailing crackdowns on students at Tehran University and giving out proxy Web addresses that let users bypass the Islamic Republic's censors.
Dozens of posts were coming in every second on the Web page http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23iranelection Monday morning, with and a slower stream at http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23iranrevolution.
Most of them had to do with a huge rally in central Tehran featuring Mir Hossein Moussavi, the challenger to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The government announced Ahmadinejad had won with a huge majority just hours after the polls closed Friday evening, despite opinion polls showing Moussavi with a strong
Another Tweeter, "Change_for_Iran," stopped posting around 7 a.m. EDT because, as he put it, "it's worth taking the risk, we're going. I won't be able to update until I'm back. again thanks for your kind support and wish us luck."
Even larger was the active reposting of Iranian tweets from people outside the country, doing all they could to spread the word.
"Reaction to Iranian election strong even here in Malaysia," tweeted user "Sombit."
"My wife spoke with relatives in Shiraz: 'They can't arrest 65 million people' was the comment," wrote American "Dereklowe."
User "Guy_Murray," a California lawyer, seemed to be spending most of his morning reposting tweets from Iran.
Facebook Revolution Put To End ?Reports from Tehran say that social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, the micro-blogging website, were taken down after Mr Ahmadinejad claimed victory. SMS text messaging, a preferred medium of communication for young Iranians, has also been disabled. This is widely suspected to be the result of government interference, but could equally be caused by the poor quality of the network and the heavy demand it is experiencing.
"The Internet is now very slow, like the mobile phone network. YouTube and Facebook are hard to access and pro-reform sites . . . are completely inaccessible."
Facebook has not been able to get to the bottom of what is affecting its services. A spokesman for the company said: “We have heard reports that users in Iran are having difficulties accessing Facebook. This is disappointing, especially at a time when citizens are turning to the Internet as a source of information about the recent election.
Mousavi Supporters on Internet
Supporters of pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi are using the Internet to protest election results showing a win for incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, organizing demonstrations and using hacking tools to crash official government sites, according to Wired's Danger Room blog.
Many international news organizations are live-blogging the Iran story, collecting news from both mainstream and citizen sources. A guide to Iranian election coverage on the Web follows:
Photos and Video
PicFog is a real-time feed of images posted to Twitter. Enter a search term to narrow the field and follow a specific topic. Keep in mind there isn't any editing -- you get all of the images, even if they involve a level of gore or manipulation not found on traditional news sites.
Tehran 24 is a photoblog of Iran's capital city maintained by Amir Sadeghi. Recent posts have been focusing on the election and ensuing protests.
Mousavi's supporters are also posting video and photos to Flickr and YouTube.
Twitter
Visit http://iran.twazzup.com/ to track all things Iran-related on Twitter. To see more of the latest tweets on Iran's election, you can search Twitter for certain hashtags. At the moment, #iranelection, #mousavi and #Tehran are among the most popular topics on Twitter.
Mousavi's supporters have also been using Twitter to organize rallies, in both Farsi and English, and distribute protest images and video.
Facebook
The Group "where is my vote " connects iranians living outside the country who took part in presidential elections.
News Web Sites and Blogs
The National Iranian American Council is live blogging events in Iran and translating Twitter and Facebook posts from Farsi into English.
Blog aggregation site Global Voices is devoting a special section to the election, translating and collecting reports in the Iranian blogosphere.
In the U.S., The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan is devoting his blog to covering the Iranian election aftermath, as is the New York Times' The Lede blog and the Huffington Post. The BBC is also tracking the latest news, along with background information and comments from readers.
Finally, the independent Tehran Bureau, founded by Iranian-born journalist Kelly Golnoush Niknejad, is mixing on-the-ground reports with analysis written by academics and journalists.
Many international news organizations are live-blogging the Iran story, collecting news from both mainstream and citizen sources. A guide to Iranian election coverage on the Web follows:
Photos and Video
PicFog is a real-time feed of images posted to Twitter. Enter a search term to narrow the field and follow a specific topic. Keep in mind there isn't any editing -- you get all of the images, even if they involve a level of gore or manipulation not found on traditional news sites.
Tehran 24 is a photoblog of Iran's capital city maintained by Amir Sadeghi. Recent posts have been focusing on the election and ensuing protests.
Mousavi's supporters are also posting video and photos to Flickr and YouTube.
Visit http://iran.twazzup.com/ to track all things Iran-related on Twitter. To see more of the latest tweets on Iran's election, you can search Twitter for certain hashtags. At the moment, #iranelection, #mousavi and #Tehran are among the most popular topics on Twitter.
Mousavi's supporters have also been using Twitter to organize rallies, in both Farsi and English, and distribute protest images and video.
The Group "where is my vote " connects iranians living outside the country who took part in presidential elections.
News Web Sites and Blogs
The National Iranian American Council is live blogging events in Iran and translating Twitter and Facebook posts from Farsi into English.
Blog aggregation site Global Voices is devoting a special section to the election, translating and collecting reports in the Iranian blogosphere.
In the U.S., The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan is devoting his blog to covering the Iranian election aftermath, as is the New York Times' The Lede blog and the Huffington Post. The BBC is also tracking the latest news, along with background information and comments from readers.
Finally, the independent Tehran Bureau, founded by Iranian-born journalist Kelly Golnoush Niknejad, is mixing on-the-ground reports with analysis written by academics and journalists.
A Scene From The Streets of Tehran
It's way past midnight in Tehran, but this city is not sleeping. Outside on the streets, people are honking their horns in protest and stretching their hands out of cars making peace signs — a sign of support for Mir-Hossein Mousavi, the opposition candidate apparently defeated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran's presidential election on Friday.
Some of Tehran's main streets have been turned into urban battlegrounds. Groups of mostly young men have set large garbage bins on fire in the middle of streets, torn out street signs and fences, broken the windows and ATM machines of state banks, and burnt at least five large buses in the middle of streets.
"They have totally fooled us," said one sad man, a 32-year-old state employee, standing by the roadside. "This time they went too far. They just want to eliminate 'republic' and turn this into an Islamic dictatorship," he said with a sigh.
On Ghaem-Magham Street, a lone chadori woman stood by the roadside, making a peace sign with her index finger wrapped in a green ribbon, saying "Mousavi" to every passing car. Out of 50 cars that passed, all but 5 either honked, rolled down their windows to shout their support, or made peace signs in solidarity.
One man passing by told her, "You wrote Mousavi, they read Ahmadinejad!" She responded: "They're illiterate and need to learn reading."
Other groups of people had formed fronts and threw stones at the police forces, leaving stones covering many streets. One of the men throwing stones said they would not stop until "they hold fair elections. Do they think we're that dumb?"
Wherever crowds were gathered, the police used pepper stray, which also affected passengers in cars and buses driving by. On Taleqani Street, where some of the worst clashes took place, a motorcade of basijis drove by waving metal batons and chains in the air.
From early evening onward, the entire mobile phone network was cut off, making it difficult for protestors to coordinate, or to learn of the widespread nature of the protests. The Internet was also blocked in certain parts of the city, and satellite TV trannsmissions were reduced to snow. Out of Iran's six television channels, only the all-news channel aired reports on the election, and those mostly exalted "the glory of people's participation in the election."
More news at
http://www.cherishinglife.webs.com/newsarticles.htm
Some of Tehran's main streets have been turned into urban battlegrounds. Groups of mostly young men have set large garbage bins on fire in the middle of streets, torn out street signs and fences, broken the windows and ATM machines of state banks, and burnt at least five large buses in the middle of streets.
"They have totally fooled us," said one sad man, a 32-year-old state employee, standing by the roadside. "This time they went too far. They just want to eliminate 'republic' and turn this into an Islamic dictatorship," he said with a sigh.
On Ghaem-Magham Street, a lone chadori woman stood by the roadside, making a peace sign with her index finger wrapped in a green ribbon, saying "Mousavi" to every passing car. Out of 50 cars that passed, all but 5 either honked, rolled down their windows to shout their support, or made peace signs in solidarity.
One man passing by told her, "You wrote Mousavi, they read Ahmadinejad!" She responded: "They're illiterate and need to learn reading."
Other groups of people had formed fronts and threw stones at the police forces, leaving stones covering many streets. One of the men throwing stones said they would not stop until "they hold fair elections. Do they think we're that dumb?"
Wherever crowds were gathered, the police used pepper stray, which also affected passengers in cars and buses driving by. On Taleqani Street, where some of the worst clashes took place, a motorcade of basijis drove by waving metal batons and chains in the air.
From early evening onward, the entire mobile phone network was cut off, making it difficult for protestors to coordinate, or to learn of the widespread nature of the protests. The Internet was also blocked in certain parts of the city, and satellite TV trannsmissions were reduced to snow. Out of Iran's six television channels, only the all-news channel aired reports on the election, and those mostly exalted "the glory of people's participation in the election."
More news at
http://www.cherishinglife.webs.com/newsarticles.htm
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Iran's Ballot System A Very Complex One
Senior supporter of former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi, told Reuters that surveys made by reformers showed that Mousavi was getting about 58-60 percent of the votes.
But Ahmadinejad’s representative at a supervisory body, Ali Asghar Zarei, said the incumbent was ahead with about the same level of support, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported.
Joe Klein, in Tehran, reports:
The candidates are listed by name and by number…and also by code. You vote by writing down the candidate’s name and then his…what? Number…or code? No one is quite sure. The leading reformer, Mir-Hussein Moussavi, has the number 4 and the code 777. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has the number 1 and the code 444. So the question arises: If you vote for Moussavi and list his number as 4…have you actually voted for Ahmadinejad? And why on earth have they devised such a complicated ballot in the first place?
But Ahmadinejad’s representative at a supervisory body, Ali Asghar Zarei, said the incumbent was ahead with about the same level of support, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported.
Joe Klein, in Tehran, reports:
The candidates are listed by name and by number…and also by code. You vote by writing down the candidate’s name and then his…what? Number…or code? No one is quite sure. The leading reformer, Mir-Hussein Moussavi, has the number 4 and the code 777. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has the number 1 and the code 444. So the question arises: If you vote for Moussavi and list his number as 4…have you actually voted for Ahmadinejad? And why on earth have they devised such a complicated ballot in the first place?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Elections In Iran
He won some 62.6% of the vote in an election marked by a high turnout of 85%, official figures show.
Supporters of pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi have cried foul and clashed with riot police in Tehran, while public protests have been banned.
Iran's Supreme Leader congratulated Mr Ahmadinejad on his win, and urged his rivals against "provocations".
In a statement, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the high turnout and described the count as a "real celebration" and called for calm in the aftermath of the result.
As President Obama delivered his address to the Muslim world in Cairo last week, two pivotal Middle East elections loomed in Lebanon and Iran. The timing of Obama's speech was impeccable, from that standpoint, several days before Lebanon's (held over the weekend), and roughly a week before Iran's (to be held Friday), in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will seek to retain power against rivals that have criticized his foreign policy and handling of the country's nuclear program.The Iranian election is perhaps more important for the U.S.: Iran is seen as the leader of an axis in Middle East politics, holding influence over its Syrian and Hezbollah allies. Iran's nuclear program is a growing worry both for Israel and many Arab states--it's a major issue in Middle East foreign policy.
Supporters of pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi have cried foul and clashed with riot police in Tehran, while public protests have been banned.
Iran's Supreme Leader congratulated Mr Ahmadinejad on his win, and urged his rivals against "provocations".
In a statement, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the high turnout and described the count as a "real celebration" and called for calm in the aftermath of the result.
As President Obama delivered his address to the Muslim world in Cairo last week, two pivotal Middle East elections loomed in Lebanon and Iran. The timing of Obama's speech was impeccable, from that standpoint, several days before Lebanon's (held over the weekend), and roughly a week before Iran's (to be held Friday), in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will seek to retain power against rivals that have criticized his foreign policy and handling of the country's nuclear program.The Iranian election is perhaps more important for the U.S.: Iran is seen as the leader of an axis in Middle East politics, holding influence over its Syrian and Hezbollah allies. Iran's nuclear program is a growing worry both for Israel and many Arab states--it's a major issue in Middle East foreign policy.
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