This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8492941.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Iran's Mousavi vows to fight on Iran's Mousavi vows to fight on
(40 minutes later)
Iran's opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has said he will continue his struggle against the government.Iran's opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has said he will continue his struggle against the government.
In a statement posted on his website, Mr Mousavi said the 1979 Islamic Revolution had failed to achieve most of its goals. In a statement posted on his website, Mr Mousavi said the 1979 Islamic revolution had failed to achieve most of its goals.
He said politically motivated arrests of protesters were illegal and more should be done to secure people's rights.He said politically motivated arrests of protesters were illegal and more should be done to secure people's rights.
His comments constitute one of his strongest challenges to the government.His comments constitute one of his strongest challenges to the government.
They also come at a particularly sensitive time. Iran will mark the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic on 11 February.They also come at a particularly sensitive time. Iran will mark the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic on 11 February.
The green movement will not abandon its peaceful fight... until people's rights are preserved. Peaceful protests are Iranians' right Mir Hossein Mousavi Q&A: Iran protests Guide: How Iran is ruled Two activists 'executed in Iran'The green movement will not abandon its peaceful fight... until people's rights are preserved. Peaceful protests are Iranians' right Mir Hossein Mousavi Q&A: Iran protests Guide: How Iran is ruled Two activists 'executed in Iran'
As one of the key players in the founding of the Islamic Republic, his comments have extra resonance.As one of the key players in the founding of the Islamic Republic, his comments have extra resonance.
Jon Leyne, the BBC's Tehran correspondent who is reporting from London, says Mr Mousavi's comments will outrage hard line supporters of the government. He is now pushing to the very limit of what he can say without being arrested. Jon Leyne, the BBC's Tehran correspondent who is reporting from London, says Mr Mousavi's comments will outrage hard-line supporters of the government. He is now pushing to the very limit of what he can say without being arrested.
Call for ralliesCall for rallies
The anniversary is one of the most important dates in Iran's political calendar. Mr Mousavi and his reformist ally Mehdi Karroubi have called on their supporters to attend rallies on the day of the anniversary.The anniversary is one of the most important dates in Iran's political calendar. Mr Mousavi and his reformist ally Mehdi Karroubi have called on their supporters to attend rallies on the day of the anniversary.
But hardliners, including the country's Supreme Leader, have warned that anti-government protests will not be tolerated. But hardliners, including the country's supreme leader, have warned that anti-government protests will not be tolerated.
ANALYSIS Jon Leyne, BBC Tehran correspondent, reporting from London Mir Hossein Mousavi's comments about will be seen as highly inflammatory by hardline supporters of the government. They will be infuriated by his suggestion that Iran is suffering a tyranny similar to that under the Shah. ANALYSIS Jon Leyne, BBC Tehran correspondent, reporting from London Mir Hossein Mousavi's comments will be seen as highly inflammatory by hard-line supporters of the government. They will be infuriated by his suggestion that Iran is suffering a tyranny similar to that under the shah.
In calling for changes to the constitution, Mr Mousavi seems to be moving closer to the position of his increasingly radical supporters, who are beginning to challenge not only the election result, but the very system itself.In calling for changes to the constitution, Mr Mousavi seems to be moving closer to the position of his increasingly radical supporters, who are beginning to challenge not only the election result, but the very system itself.
It is as if Mr Mousavi is now challenging the government to arrest him - a move the authorities have, until now, decided would be a step too far.It is as if Mr Mousavi is now challenging the government to arrest him - a move the authorities have, until now, decided would be a step too far.
The government's language and actions are also getting progressively tougher. An official has said that nine more opposition protestors, or rioters as the government terms them, will soon be executed, following two similar executions last week. The government's language and actions are also getting progressively tougher. An official has said that nine more opposition protesters, or rioters as the government terms them, will soon be executed, following two similar executions last week.
Everything is building up towards a major confrontation on the 11 February, the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Shah. Everything is building up towards a major confrontation on the 11 February, the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution that overthrew the shah.
Tensions in Iran are still high after bloody demonstrations during the Shia ritual of Ashura in December 2009 when eight protesters were killed and officials said over 1,000 were arrested. Tensions in Iran are still high after bloody demonstrations during the Shia ritual of Ashura in December when eight protesters were killed and officials said over 1,000 were arrested.
Mr Mousavi's nephew Seyed Ali Mousavi was among those killed.Mr Mousavi's nephew Seyed Ali Mousavi was among those killed.
The December clashes were the worst episode of violence since the aftermath of last June's disputed presidential election and subsequent government crackdown.The December clashes were the worst episode of violence since the aftermath of last June's disputed presidential election and subsequent government crackdown.
Iran has hanged two people last week who were arrested during the post-election unrest that erupted after the vote that returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. Death sentences for nine others are at the appeal stage. Last week, Iran hanged two people who were arrested during the post-election unrest that erupted after the vote that returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. Death sentences for nine others are at the appeal stage.
"The green movement will not abandon its peaceful fight... until people's rights are preserved," Mr Mousavi told Kalemeh website. "Peaceful protests are Iranians' right." "The green movement will not abandon its peaceful fight... until people's rights are preserved," Mr Mousavi wrote on his Kalemeh website. "Peaceful protests are Iranians' right."
Mr Mousavi also said that the Islamic Revolution in Iran has failed to eradicate the "roots of tyranny and dictatorship" that, he says, marked the Shah's era. Mr Mousavi also said that the Islamic revolution in Iran had failed to eradicate the "roots of tyranny and dictatorship" that, he said, marked the shah's era.
He said he no longer believed, as he once did, "that the revolution had removed all those structures which could lead to totalitarianism and dictatorship".He said he no longer believed, as he once did, "that the revolution had removed all those structures which could lead to totalitarianism and dictatorship".
"Today, one can identify both elements and foundations which produce dictatorship as well as resistance against returning to this dictatorship," he said."Today, one can identify both elements and foundations which produce dictatorship as well as resistance against returning to this dictatorship," he said.
"Stifling the media, filling the prisons and brutally killing people who peacefully demand their rights in the streets indicate the roots of tyranny and dictatorship remain from the monarchist era... I don't believe that the revolution achieved its goals," Mr Mousavi added. "Stifling the media, filling the prisons and brutally killing people who peacefully demand their rights in the streets indicate the roots of tyranny and dictatorship remain from the monarchist era. I don't believe that the revolution achieved its goals," Mr Mousavi added.
Last month Mr Mousavi said that he was not afraid to die for the cause of reform.Last month Mr Mousavi said that he was not afraid to die for the cause of reform.