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New protests over Iran elections New protests over Iran elections
(40 minutes later)
Supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi are planning a new demonstration in Tehran in protest at what they see as a fraudulent presidential poll in Iran.Supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi are planning a new demonstration in Tehran in protest at what they see as a fraudulent presidential poll in Iran.
The planned rally comes after overnight raids on university dormitories in several Iranian cities and as two pro-reform figures were arrested.The planned rally comes after overnight raids on university dormitories in several Iranian cities and as two pro-reform figures were arrested.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has sought to calm tensions and called for an end to rioting.Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has sought to calm tensions and called for an end to rioting.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected last week with almost two-thirds of votes.Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected last week with almost two-thirds of votes.
Protests have grown since his re-election was confirmed on Saturday, with huge demonstrations in Tehran and clashes between protesters and security forces. Eight people have been killed.Protests have grown since his re-election was confirmed on Saturday, with huge demonstrations in Tehran and clashes between protesters and security forces. Eight people have been killed.
The latest opposition demonstration is expected to wind its way though central Tehran in mid-afternoon local time, reports the BBC's Jon Leyne from the city.The latest opposition demonstration is expected to wind its way though central Tehran in mid-afternoon local time, reports the BBC's Jon Leyne from the city.
A similar march on Tuesday is thought to have passed off peacefully, although few details have emerged.A similar march on Tuesday is thought to have passed off peacefully, although few details have emerged.
Iran has imposed tough new restrictions on foreign media, requiring journalists to obtain explicit permission before covering any story. Journalists have also been banned from attending or reporting on any unauthorised demonstration.Iran has imposed tough new restrictions on foreign media, requiring journalists to obtain explicit permission before covering any story. Journalists have also been banned from attending or reporting on any unauthorised demonstration.
Ayatollah interventionAyatollah intervention
Opposition supporters are planning their latest Tehran rally in a city which remains tense and on alert.Opposition supporters are planning their latest Tehran rally in a city which remains tense and on alert.
Two pro-reform figures, newspaper editor Saeed Laylaz and Hamid Reza Jalaipour, an activist and journalist, were arrested on Wednesday morning, reports said.Two pro-reform figures, newspaper editor Saeed Laylaz and Hamid Reza Jalaipour, an activist and journalist, were arrested on Wednesday morning, reports said.
Jon Leyne
Reporting from Tehran
It's quite clear that there are enormous disputes going on behind the scenes. But the people who run this country are not stupid, there are some quite smart people, even loyalists to Mr Ahmadinejad, and they must realise how much deeper they are digging themselves into this mess everyday.
But at the moment, quite inexplicably, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei seems to be quite in thrall to Mr Ahmadinejad, it's almost as if he's taking his orders from him. He usually stays above the fray and interestingly he's still not been seen in public since the election. Q&A: Latest from Tehran
Mr Laylaz is political and economic analyst who is often critical of Mr Ahmadinejad and who has often been interviewed by foreign media.Mr Laylaz is political and economic analyst who is often critical of Mr Ahmadinejad and who has often been interviewed by foreign media.
Nobody should take any action that would create tension, and all have to explicitly say they are against tension and riots Ayatollah Ali KhameneiIran's Supreme Leader US asks for Twitter outage delay Iranians blog on election crisis Iranians use video to tell story
About 100 reformist figures were arrested on Sunday as opposition grew to the election results. Many have since been released.About 100 reformist figures were arrested on Sunday as opposition grew to the election results. Many have since been released.
Overnight, members of Iran's Basij volunteer militia reportedly raided university dormitories in several Iranian cities.Overnight, members of Iran's Basij volunteer militia reportedly raided university dormitories in several Iranian cities.
The Basij stormed compounds, ransacking dormitories and beating up some students. Several arrests were made, our correspondent says, and the dean of the university in the city of Shiraz has resigned.The Basij stormed compounds, ransacking dormitories and beating up some students. Several arrests were made, our correspondent says, and the dean of the university in the city of Shiraz has resigned.
Students have been active among Iran's opposition and there have been several reports of security forces moving in on university premises since protests began over the weekend.Students have been active among Iran's opposition and there have been several reports of security forces moving in on university premises since protests began over the weekend.
In the most high-profile incident, 120 lecturers at Tehran university resigned after a raid on that institution.In the most high-profile incident, 120 lecturers at Tehran university resigned after a raid on that institution.
The overnight raids came after another direct intervention in the crisis by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.The overnight raids came after another direct intervention in the crisis by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Nobody should take any action that would create tension, and all have to explicitly say they are against tension and riots Ayatollah Ali KhameneiIran's Supreme Leader US asks for Twitter outage delay Iranians blog on election crisis Iranians use video to tell story
Ayatollah Khamenei has not appeared in public since the election results, but now seems to be deeply involved in the search for a solution to the stand-off.Ayatollah Khamenei has not appeared in public since the election results, but now seems to be deeply involved in the search for a solution to the stand-off.
Meeting representatives of the four election candidates, he urged all parties not to agitate their supporters and stir up an already tense situation. Meeting representatives of the four election candidates, he urged all parties not to agitate their supporters and stir up an already tense situation. He also repeated his offer of a partial vote recount, a proposal already rejected by the main opposition.
"In the elections, voters had different tendencies, but they equally believe in the ruling system and support the Islamic Republic," the Associated Press reported him as saying."In the elections, voters had different tendencies, but they equally believe in the ruling system and support the Islamic Republic," the Associated Press reported him as saying.
"Nobody should take any action that would create tension, and all have to explicitly say they are against tension and riots.""Nobody should take any action that would create tension, and all have to explicitly say they are against tension and riots."
He also repeated his offer of a partial vote recount, a proposal already rejected by the main opposition.
But our correspondent says the ayatollah's personal intervention in the crisis is reducing his political authority, with a clear power struggle and an enormous dispute about the situation going on behind the scenes.
Obama 'concern'Obama 'concern'
Widespread anger at the result brought hundreds of thousands of Mr Mousavi's supporters on to the streets on Monday and eight protesters died when a rally ended in violence. Witnesses said Tuesday's demonstrators walked in near silence towards state TV headquarters - apparently anxious not to be depicted as hooligans by authorities.
A majority of Iranians are under 30, lending the opposition a youthful voice
A witness told the BBC that Tuesday's rally in northern Tehran was even bigger than Monday's - though this cannot be independently confirmed - and the state Press TV also described it as large.
Witnesses described demonstrators walking in near silence towards state TV headquarters - apparently anxious not to be depicted as hooligans by authorities.
Thousands of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's supporters staged a counter-rally in Vali Asr Square in central Tehran - some bussed in from the provinces, observers say.Thousands of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's supporters staged a counter-rally in Vali Asr Square in central Tehran - some bussed in from the provinces, observers say.
A BBC correspondent in Tehran said that protesters also blocked roads with their cars and police set up roadblocks to control gatherings of demonstrators.
As night fell, residents took to the roof-tops of their houses to shout protest messages across the city, a scene not witnessed since the final days of the Shah, our correspondent says.As night fell, residents took to the roof-tops of their houses to shout protest messages across the city, a scene not witnessed since the final days of the Shah, our correspondent says.
In the US, President Barack Obama sought on Tuesday to stay neutral in the debate over Iran's election results, insisting he did not want to "meddle" in the affairs of the Islamic Republic. In the US, President Barack Obama sought on Tuesday to stay neutral in the debate over Iran's election results, insisting he did not want to "meddle" in the affairs of the Islamic Republic, although he expressed "concern" at scenes of violence.
"It is not productive, given the history of US and Iranian relations to be seen as meddling in Iranian elections," he said. However, in a TV interview he also cautioned that there might not be much difference between the policies of President Ahmadinejad and rival Mir Hossein Mousavi.
"But when I see violence directed at peaceful protesters, when i see peaceful dissent being suppressedÂ… it is of concern to me and it is of concern to the American people."
But in a TV interview he also cautioned that there might not be much difference between the policies of President Ahmadinejad and rival Mir Hossein Mousavi.
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