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/8509765.stm

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Iran rallies to mark revolution Iran rallies to mark revolution
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of pro-government Iranians are rallying to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Thousands of pro-government Iranians are rallying to mark the 31st anniversary of the nation's revolution.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the rally Iran's enemies were using the nuclear issue and that of human rights to dominate the region.President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the rally Iran's enemies were using the nuclear issue and that of human rights to dominate the region.
He also said Iran had produced its first stock of 20% enriched uranium and could enrich up to 80%.He also said Iran had produced its first stock of 20% enriched uranium and could enrich up to 80%.
Meanwhile there are unconfirmed reports of opposition demonstrations in Tehran and Tabriz, and of clashes with police. Opposition leaders are trying to mount counter-demonstrations, but are facing a huge security crackdown.
It is the most important day in Iran's political calendar. The government has warned protests will be dealt with.It is the most important day in Iran's political calendar. The government has warned protests will be dealt with.
BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says it could be the largest confrontation since the disputed election last June, and the government and opposition have chosen to make the day a huge trial of strength.BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says it could be the largest confrontation since the disputed election last June, and the government and opposition have chosen to make the day a huge trial of strength.
'Nuclear state''Nuclear state'
Official events are being held across Iran, but the main gathering is at Tehran's Azadi square. State TV showed tens of thousands of people filling the streets. Official events are being held across Iran, but the main gathering is at Tehran's Azadi Square. State TV showed tens of thousands of people filling the streets.
We are closely watching the sedition movement, and several people preparing to disrupt the rallies were arrested Esmail Ahmadi MoghaddamPolice chief US expands Iran Guards sanctions More sanctions on way for Iran?We are closely watching the sedition movement, and several people preparing to disrupt the rallies were arrested Esmail Ahmadi MoghaddamPolice chief US expands Iran Guards sanctions More sanctions on way for Iran?
Mr Ahmadinejad told the crowds Iran was now a "nuclear state".Mr Ahmadinejad told the crowds Iran was now a "nuclear state".
"The first package of 20% [enriched uranium] fuel was produced and provided to the scientists," he said."The first package of 20% [enriched uranium] fuel was produced and provided to the scientists," he said.
He added Iran would soon treble output of the fuel.He added Iran would soon treble output of the fuel.
Earlier this week Iran announced its decision to further enrich uranium for its nuclear programme. It prompted the US to extend sanctions, targeting members of the elite Revolutionary Guard.Earlier this week Iran announced its decision to further enrich uranium for its nuclear programme. It prompted the US to extend sanctions, targeting members of the elite Revolutionary Guard.
Tehran says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, but the West suspects it of trying to develop nuclear weapons.Tehran says its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, but the West suspects it of trying to develop nuclear weapons.
Mr Ahmadinejad also said Western countries were hampering genuine reform in Iran.Mr Ahmadinejad also said Western countries were hampering genuine reform in Iran.
"It's been 41 years that they have been opposing the Islamic revolution, and also they have been hampering the progress of this great nation," he said."It's been 41 years that they have been opposing the Islamic revolution, and also they have been hampering the progress of this great nation," he said.
'Teargas and shots' 'Tear gas and shots'
Meanwhile, reports from the micro-blogging site Twitter and the pro-opposition Jaras website said opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi's supporters were gathering in the city's Saddeqiya street. Meanwhile, reports from the micro-blogging site Twitter and pro-opposition websites said opposition supporters were holding rallies, one of them in the city's Saddeqiya Street.
But Mr Karroubi's son was quoted as saying his bodyguards had been attacked by members of the government's basij militia and he had decided to return home. Amateur footage purportedly showing opposition protests has been appearing on the video-sharing website YouTube, including at least one rally in the Tehran underground.
Opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi had been intending to attend the Saddeqiya street rally, reports say, but his bodyguards were attacked by members of the government's Basij militia as he emerged from his car. His son was arrested as he tried to intervene.
The reformist former President Mohammad Khatami was also reportedly attacked.The reformist former President Mohammad Khatami was also reportedly attacked.
Other opposition sources said security forces had fired shots and teargas at supporters of Mir-Hossein Moussavi, Mr Ahmadinejad's main rival in last June's elections. His brother Mohammed Reza Khatami and his wife Zahra Eshraghi, the granddaughter of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, were arrested but later released.
Twitter user Shhh527 said in the north-western city of Tabriz "people are chanting". Other opposition sources said security forces had fired shots and tear gas at supporters of Mir-Hossein Moussavi, Mr Ahmadinejad's main rival in last June's elections.
There are also reports of opposition protests in the cities of Tabriz, Shiraz and Isfahan.
Anti-government websites have urged marchers to display green emblems or clothes - the colour adopted by the opposition movement after the disputed election on 12 June last year.Anti-government websites have urged marchers to display green emblems or clothes - the colour adopted by the opposition movement after the disputed election on 12 June last year.
There are reports that internet access has been restricted.There are reports that internet access has been restricted.
Deadly clashes erupted after the poll, and have taken place sporadically since then.Deadly clashes erupted after the poll, and have taken place sporadically since then.
Ahead of the commemorations, police chief Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam said the Revolutionary Guards and Basij Islamic militia were ready for any trouble.Ahead of the commemorations, police chief Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam said the Revolutionary Guards and Basij Islamic militia were ready for any trouble.
"We are fully prepared for holding a safe and glorious rally," he told semi-official Fars news agency, according to Reuters news agency. "We are fully prepared for holding a safe and glorious rally," he told the semi-official Fars news agency, according to Reuters news agency.
"We are closely watching the activities of the sedition movement, and several people who were preparing to disrupt the 11 February rallies were arrested," he said."We are closely watching the activities of the sedition movement, and several people who were preparing to disrupt the 11 February rallies were arrested," he said.
Web giant Google says its e-mail traffic in Iran has dropped sharply, even though its networks were working properly.Web giant Google says its e-mail traffic in Iran has dropped sharply, even though its networks were working properly.
Google said users of its Gmail service had experienced difficulties following a newspaper report about official restrictions.Google said users of its Gmail service had experienced difficulties following a newspaper report about official restrictions.
'Permanent suspension''Permanent suspension'
"Whenever we encounter blocks in our services we try to resolve them as quickly as possible," the California-based company said in a statement."Whenever we encounter blocks in our services we try to resolve them as quickly as possible," the California-based company said in a statement.
"Sadly, sometimes it is not within our control.""Sadly, sometimes it is not within our control."
Opposition supporters have been urged to wear green as they did last JuneOpposition supporters have been urged to wear green as they did last June
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran's telecommunications agency had announced "a permanent suspension of Google Inc's e-mail services".The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran's telecommunications agency had announced "a permanent suspension of Google Inc's e-mail services".
Washington - which on Wednesday extended sanctions against Tehran - said any efforts to keep information from Iranians would fail.Washington - which on Wednesday extended sanctions against Tehran - said any efforts to keep information from Iranians would fail.
US state department spokesman PJ Crowley said: "Virtual walls won't work in the 21st century any better than physical walls worked in the 20th century." US state department spokesman PJ Crowley said: "Virtual walls won't work in the 21st Century any better than physical walls worked in the 20th Century."
Twitter and other social networking sites were used extensively during the post-election protests.Twitter and other social networking sites were used extensively during the post-election protests.
Are you in Iran? Have you witnessed any demonstrations? Are you attending any celebration gatherings? Send us your comments, pictures and videos.Are you in Iran? Have you witnessed any demonstrations? Are you attending any celebration gatherings? Send us your comments, pictures and videos.
Send your videos and pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your videos and pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions