Iran leader's opposition warning

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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the opposition to distance itself from the country's Western 'enemies'.

The warning comes ahead of expected opposition protests next month to coincide with the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic.

The anniversary of the 1979 revolution is one of the most important dates in Iran's political calendar.

Reformist former President Mohammad Khatami has defended the protesters.

Tensions are high in Iran after eight people died in clashes between security forces and the opposition last month on Ashura, the Shia Muslim day of mourning.

Hundreds of people were detained in the immediate aftermath of the protests and police say at least 40 more arrests have been made after photographs were circulated of people attending the protests.

Call to rally

The December clashes were the worst episode of violence since the aftermath of last June's disputed presidential election and subsequent government crackdown.

The government has often said that opposition protests are a foreign-backed attempt to undermine clerical rule. Iran's leader has struck a consistently hard line against opposition protesters.

In his speech Ayatollah Khamenei said, "All parties with different tendencies should clearly distance themselves from the enemies, particularly influential elites should avoid making ambiguous comments... when arrogant powers [usually referring to the West] and oppressors adopt anti-Islamic stances."

He also called on government supporters to turn out for counter-demonstrations on the anniversary.

But former President Mohammad Khatami, a leading pro-reformer, accused the government of launching a "new wave of pressures" and defended people's right to protest over the outcome of the election.

"The people have realised that many of the protesters were not ill-wishers and their protests were right. The major part of the protesters are committed to the constitution and peaceful ways to voice their protests," Mr Khatami added.

The former president also said that those charged with handling Iran's affairs had "done nothing but caused more problems."

Mr Khatami's comments were reported by the pro-reform Parlemannews while speaking at a meeting for people detained and released after last year's unrest.