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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iran leader vows 'harsh response' | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Iran's supreme leader has vowed to confront those who threaten national security, amid continuing disputes over the presidential election. | |
| Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was leading Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time since June, when he defended President Ahmadinejad's re-election. | |
| He said that "resisting the system" would bring "a harsh response". | |
| Iran says 36 people died in violence after the 12 June polls; the opposition says double that number were killed. | |
| This week the Iranian authorities arrested two prominent opposition figures and closed down the offices of Mehdi Karoubi, who was a presidential contender. | |
| Palestinian protest | |
| Ayatollah Khamenei's sermon was closely watched for indications of further moves against opponents. | |
| We must stand firm for our rights. If we give up our rights, whether nuclear or other rights, this will lead to decline Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | |
| In it he said: "Confronting the system, confronting the tenets of the system, standing up to and drawing a sword against the system will get a harsh response." | |
| The ayatollah also sounded a note of conciliation, saying that "differences of views should not lead to conflicts". | |
| But he added: "If opposition groups have ideas that are against the nation's security and the principles of the regime, they will be confronted." | |
| The ayatollah urged Iranians to attend next Friday's annual pro-Palestinian protests in Tehran, but cautioned that there may be those who wished "to create discord". | |
| On the nuclear issue, Ayatollah Khamenei said: "We must stand firm for our rights. If we give up our rights, whether nuclear or other rights, this will lead to decline." | |
| He also berated the US and UK for "200 years of wicked attitude towards Iran. So be it. This will not intimidate anyone". | |
| Continuing crackdown | Continuing crackdown |
| The government in Tehran has come through a period of intense political upheaval since the elections. | The government in Tehran has come through a period of intense political upheaval since the elections. |
| Days of clashes followed the disputed 12 June presidential poll | |
| There has been a continuing crackdown on the opposition by government hardliners, and serious infighting within the establishment. | There has been a continuing crackdown on the opposition by government hardliners, and serious infighting within the establishment. |
| Analysts say that President Ahmadinejad is now in a more comfortable position, having had all but three members of his new cabinet approved by parliament in a vote of confidence last week. | |
| Thousands of people were arrested in June following the mass street protests in Tehran that ended in violence as security forces moved to stop them. | Thousands of people were arrested in June following the mass street protests in Tehran that ended in violence as security forces moved to stop them. |
| Many have been released but Iran is currently trying a number of detainees over their alleged involvement in the protests. | Many have been released but Iran is currently trying a number of detainees over their alleged involvement in the protests. |
| They include opposition figures accused of conspiring with foreign powers to organise the unrest. | They include opposition figures accused of conspiring with foreign powers to organise the unrest. |
| Both the Iranian parliament and judiciary have established committees to investigate the post-election unrest and the government's response. | Both the Iranian parliament and judiciary have established committees to investigate the post-election unrest and the government's response. |