Thousands of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran and Shiraz 4 November to voice their opposition to the government, as Iran celebrated the seizing of the US embassy and 52 embassy staff 30 years ago. The annual celebration to vilify the US became the occasion for many Iranians to shout “down with the dictator”, to protest the contested and controversial re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president. Ahmadinejad’s opponent, Mir Hossein Moussavi was under de facto house arrest Wednesday 4 November to prevent him from participating in the rallies.
Home-made video showed scenes of militia armed with batons storming into crowds of protesters, beating people. Many were arrested, and led off. The media in Iran is limited in its ability to report independently. BBC, Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post
Thousands of supporters of the losing candidate in 12 June’s Iranian presidential elections, Mir Hussein Moussavi, took to the streets of Teheran again 18 June in a peaceful protest against what they say was voter fraud and official violence against the protesters. Thirteen people have reportedly died since 14 June at the hands of the authorities. The election was won by the incumbent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but authorities have already said they would conduct a partial recount of the vote. Moussavi has asked for new elections.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Khameini is to appear today, 19 June at the University of Teheran, for a much anticipated speech on the situation. The university has been the scene of much violence, where civilian militia, the Basij, have targeted students. Foreign news agencies have been prevented from covering the unrest, and the authorities have disrupted cell phone service sporadically. BBC, CNN, Tehran Times, NYT
Seven people were killed at the close of one of the largest rallies in Tehran, Iran since the 1979 revolution swept the Shah from power. Defying an official ban, hundreds of thousands of supporters of Mir Hussein Moussavi protested in Tehran. At the end, as people were walking home “peacefully” according to state media, “thugs attacked a military post” and were repelled. Seven people died and several more wounded. Moussavi, the losing candidate in presidential elections last 12 June, claims the vote was flawed and should be anulled. The guardian council, the highest executive instance in Iran, on Monday 15 June called the results “provisional”, while Ayatollah Khameini, the supreme leader, urged Moussavi in a meeting “to pursue protest calmly, through legal channels”, reports the pro-government Tehran Times. CNN, BBC
Protests in Teheran and other Iranian cities this weekend were violently repressed by riot police and civilian militia on motorcycles after Iran’s presidential election Friday 12 June was controversially won by incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. His opponent, Mir Hussein Moussavi urged Iran’s Guardian Council for the election to be anulled, citing irregularities both before and during the vote. His supporters have called for a rally in Teheran, Monday 15 June in the afternoon. Reuters, BBC, CNN
In the most closely-watched presidential elections in Iran for years, polling stations expected a record turn-out from the 46.7 million voters. Incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was expected to win easily just weeks ago, but now faces a serious challenge from Mir Hussein Moussavi, a former prime minister and the leading reformist candidate. The latest polls were too close to call.
Ahmadinejad will be judged on his management of the economy, which has dipped seriously under his adminsitration. The inflation rate is over 26 percent and unemployment is at 15 percent. There are 304 polling stations around the world, including 32 in the US. Teheran Times, CNN
