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Protests in Iran capital 'halted' Protests in Iran capital 'halted'
(about 1 hour later)
Iranian riot police and militiamen appear to have halted protests in the capital, Tehran, after days of clashes over the country's disputed election. Iranian riot police and militiamen appear to have put a halt to protests in the capital, after days of clashes over a disputed presidential election.
Residents say the city is quiet, but opposition supporters have called for a day of mourning on Thursday for those killed during the protests. Residents say the city is quiet, though opposition supporters have called for a day of mourning for those killed during the protests.
One defeated presidential candidate, Mohsen Rezai, a conservative, has now withdrawn his complaint about the poll. One of the three defeated candidates, Mohsen Rezai, a conservative, has now withdrawn his complaint about the poll.
Barack Obama has condemned the "unjust" violence used against protesters.Barack Obama has condemned the "unjust" violence used against protesters.
Meanwhile, reports say four Iranian footballers who appeared to show solidarity with them have been banned. Meanwhile, reports say four Iranian footballers who appeared to show solidarity with the protesters have been punished with bans.
The pro-government Iran Daily newspaper said four of the six players who wore green wristbands during a World Cup qualifier against South Korea in Seoul had been retired from the national team.The pro-government Iran Daily newspaper said four of the six players who wore green wristbands during a World Cup qualifier against South Korea in Seoul had been retired from the national team.
Diplomats expelledDiplomats expelled
The US president's comments on the situation in Iran came as the UK expelled two Iranian diplomats in response to the expulsion of two of its own officials from Tehran. The US president's comments came as the UK expelled two Iranian diplomats in response to the expulsion of two of its own officials from Tehran.
IRAN UNREST 12 June Presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled on grounds of electoral fraudStreet protests saw at least 17 people killed and foreign media restricted Q&A: Election aftermath How Iran is ruled Who's who in Iran
The Iranian authorities have accused Britain and the US of trying to destabilise the country, something they have denied.The Iranian authorities have accused Britain and the US of trying to destabilise the country, something they have denied.
"No iron fist is strong enough to shut out the world from bearing witness"
In the 12 days since the 12 June election, which saw incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad returned with 63% of the vote, opposition supporters have repeatedly clashed with police on the streets of Tehran.In the 12 days since the 12 June election, which saw incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad returned with 63% of the vote, opposition supporters have repeatedly clashed with police on the streets of Tehran.
On Tuesday, President Obama used his starkest language yet to strongly condemn Iran's clamping down on election protests.On Tuesday, President Obama used his starkest language yet to strongly condemn Iran's clamping down on election protests.
He said he respected Iran's sovereignty and it was "patently false" of Iran to say the West was fomenting the unrest.He said he respected Iran's sovereignty and it was "patently false" of Iran to say the West was fomenting the unrest.
Mr Obama said: "The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. "No iron fist is strong enough to shut out the world from bearing witness"
"I strongly condemn these unjust actions and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost."
He said: "The United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not at all interfering in Iran's affairs. But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society."
'No major fraud''No major fraud'
Earlier on Tuesday, the opposition was told by Iran's Guardian Council, the legislative body for elections, that the presidential election result would not be annulled.Earlier on Tuesday, the opposition was told by Iran's Guardian Council, the legislative body for elections, that the presidential election result would not be annulled.
Flags were burnt outside the British embassy in Iran
Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhoda'i said there had been "no major fraud or breach in the election".Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhoda'i said there had been "no major fraud or breach in the election".
But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei later agreed to extend by five days the amount of time allowed to examine complaints of electoral fraud.But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei later agreed to extend by five days the amount of time allowed to examine complaints of electoral fraud.
Mohsen Rezai, who is a former leader of the Revolutionary Guards, said he had withdrawn his complaints about the vote in the interests of Iran's national security.Mohsen Rezai, who is a former leader of the Revolutionary Guards, said he had withdrawn his complaints about the vote in the interests of Iran's national security.
"I see it as my responsibility to encourage myself and others to control the current situation," Mr Rezai was quoted as saying in a letter to the Guardian Council."I see it as my responsibility to encourage myself and others to control the current situation," Mr Rezai was quoted as saying in a letter to the Guardian Council.
He had previously claimed to have won more votes than the official tally which placed him third in the poll.He had previously claimed to have won more votes than the official tally which placed him third in the poll.
The remaining two candidates have called for the elections to be re-run, amid claims of vote tampering.The remaining two candidates have called for the elections to be re-run, amid claims of vote tampering.
Opposition candidate Mehdi Karroubi has urged Iranians to mourn for dead protesters on Thursday.Opposition candidate Mehdi Karroubi has urged Iranians to mourn for dead protesters on Thursday.
His call echoed an earlier one from cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri for three days of national mourning for those killed in the street protests.His call echoed an earlier one from cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri for three days of national mourning for those killed in the street protests.
Flags were burnt outside the British embassy in Iran
Amid ongoing restrictions on media, Western media outlets reported that 25 journalists and other staff at a newspaper owned by defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi had been arrested.
AFP quoted one of the Kalemeh Sabz's editors saying that five women staff members had been released. The paper, launched in the run-up to the election, has already been shut down by authorities.
The UK moved to expel two Iranian diplomats in response to Tehran's decision to order two UK diplomats to leave Iran following allegations UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called "absolutely without foundation".The UK moved to expel two Iranian diplomats in response to Tehran's decision to order two UK diplomats to leave Iran following allegations UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called "absolutely without foundation".
Ties reconsideredTies reconsidered
Mr Brown told the BBC: "We want a very good relationship with the Iranians, we also respect the fact that it's for the Iranian people themselves to choose who their government is.Mr Brown told the BBC: "We want a very good relationship with the Iranians, we also respect the fact that it's for the Iranian people themselves to choose who their government is.
"But when there is a sign of repression or where there is violence that's affecting ordinary people in the streets, we have a duty to speak out and to say we want Iran to be part of the world, we don't want Iran to be isolated from the world.""But when there is a sign of repression or where there is violence that's affecting ordinary people in the streets, we have a duty to speak out and to say we want Iran to be part of the world, we don't want Iran to be isolated from the world."
The Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission responded to the expulsion of the diplomats in London by reconsidering ties with Britain.The Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission responded to the expulsion of the diplomats in London by reconsidering ties with Britain.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki and the Iranian state broadcaster said certain decisions were made in the meeting that would be announced in due time.The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki and the Iranian state broadcaster said certain decisions were made in the meeting that would be announced in due time.
On Friday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned protests, prompting street violence in which at least 10 people died.On Friday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned protests, prompting street violence in which at least 10 people died.
Severe reporting restrictions placed on the BBC and other foreign media in Iran mean protest reports cannot be verified independently as correspondents are unable to move around the city freely or cover unauthorised gatherings.Severe reporting restrictions placed on the BBC and other foreign media in Iran mean protest reports cannot be verified independently as correspondents are unable to move around the city freely or cover unauthorised gatherings.
Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? Are you taking part in the demonstrations?Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? Are you taking part in the demonstrations?
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