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Iran 'will not yield' over poll Iran 'will not yield' over poll
(about 1 hour later)
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said the nation "will not yield to pressure" over a disputed presidential election. Iran's supreme leader has said the nation "will not yield to pressure" over a disputed presidential election.
Several people have been killed in days of street protests since the 12 June poll returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the presidency. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei again said the result would stand, despite protests in which several people have died.
Violence erupted after protesters claimed the elections were rigged. The main protest leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, has not been seen in public for days, but his website quoted his wife saying protests would continue.
Iran has also said it is "reviewing" whether to downgrade relations with the UK, as diplomatic tensions increase. Unconfirmed reports said protesters were again trying to gather in central Tehran.
The UK has 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". Severe reporting restrictions placed on the BBC and other foreign media mean many reports from the country cannot be verified independently.
The British prime minister's spokesman said Downing Street was monitoring the situation. 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 class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8101621.stm">Q&A: Election aftermath class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8051750.stm">How Iran is ruled class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8102406.stm">Who's who in Iran class="" href="/2/hi/talking_point/8116508.stm">Iran: Your questions
On Mr Mousavi's website, his wife Zahra Rahnavard was also quoted as demanding the release of people detained since the election, who include 25 employees of her husband's newspaper.
"It is my duty to continue legal protests to preserve Iranian rights," she was quoted as saying on the website.
Street protests
There have also been opposition calls for a day - or more - of mourning from Thursday.
At least 17 people have been killed in street protests since the 12 June poll returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
Mr Mousavi alleges the election was rigged, and is demanding a re-run.
In other developments, Iran has said it is "reviewing" whether to downgrade relations with the UK as diplomatic tensions increase.
London has moved to expel two Iranian diplomats in response to Tehran's decision to order two UK diplomats to leave Iran.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Downing Street was monitoring the situation.
"Iran's decision to try to turn what are clearly internal matters for Iran into a conflict with the UK and others is deeply regrettable and without foundation," he said."Iran's decision to try to turn what are clearly internal matters for Iran into a conflict with the UK and others is deeply regrettable and without foundation," he said.
Streets quiet Defiant message
Iranian riot police and militiamen appear to have put a halt to protests in the capital, in which officials say 17 people have killed. The ayatollah, whose earlier command to stop street protests went unheeded, said: "I had insisted and will insist on implementing the law on the election issue.
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
It was quiet in central Tehran on Wednesday, although there are reports that a further rally is planned for later.
There have also been calls for a day or more of mourning from Thursday.
The ayatollah, whose earlier command to stop protesting went unheeded, said: "I had insisted and will insist on implementing the law on the election issue.
He added: "Neither the establishment nor the nation will yield to pressure at any cost."He added: "Neither the establishment nor the nation will yield to pressure at any cost."
He had earlier agreed to extend by five days the amount of time allowed to examine complaints of electoral fraud.He had earlier agreed to extend by five days the amount of time allowed to examine complaints of electoral fraud.
However, the Guardian Council, Iran's electoral body, said there was "no major fraud or breach in the election".However, the Guardian Council, Iran's electoral body, said there was "no major fraud or breach in the election".
The main challenger to President Ahmadinejad, Mir Hossein Mousavi, had alleged that the election was rigged. Reports say that 25 journalists and other staff at the Kalemeh Sabz newspaper owned by Mr Mousavi had been arrested.
His wife, in comments believed to be authentic and published on his website, called for the release of protesters who have been arrested. AFP quoted one of the newspaper'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.
"I regret that a large number of people among the political elite and others have been arrested, and I ask for their release," Zahra Rahnavard said.
Severe reporting restrictions placed on the BBC and other foreign media in Iran mean reports from the country cannot be verified independently.
Amid the restrictions, Western media outlets reported that 25 journalists and other staff at a newspaper owned by Mr 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.
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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