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Iran rallies to mark revolution Iran rallies to mark revolution
(10 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 Islamic Revolution.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is addressing the rally, which is being carried live on Iranian TV.
Opposition leaders have also called for a huge turnout of their supporters, and there are unconfirmed reports of demonstrations in Tehran and Tabriz.Opposition leaders have also called for a huge turnout of their supporters, and there are unconfirmed reports of demonstrations in Tehran and Tabriz.
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.BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says it could be the largest confrontation since the disputed election last June.
Arrests have been made in recent days, and there has been speculation that internet access may be restricted.Arrests have been made in recent days, and there has been speculation that internet access may be restricted.
Our correspondent, reporting from London, says the government and opposition have chosen to make Thursday a huge trial of strength.Our correspondent, reporting from London, says the government and opposition have chosen to make Thursday a huge trial of strength.
Official events are being held across Iran but the main gathering is at Tehran's Azadi square, where tens of thousands of people have filled the streets and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to speak. 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?
Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have called on their supporters to rally.Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have called on their supporters to rally.
Reports from Twitter and the pro-opposition Jaras website said supporters of one of the opposition leaders, Mehdi Karroubi, were gathering in Saddeqiya street in Tehran. Reports from the micro-blogging site Twitter and the pro-opposition Jaras website said supporters of one of the opposition leaders, Mehdi Karroubi, were gathering in Saddeqiya street in Tehran.
Twitter user Shhh527 said that in the north-western city of Tabriz "people are chanting".Twitter user Shhh527 said that in the north-western city of Tabriz "people are chanting".
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.
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 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."
The micro-blogging site 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.
The anniversary comes a day after the US extended Iranian sanctions, aimed at the Revolutionary Guards.The anniversary comes a day after the US extended Iranian sanctions, aimed at the Revolutionary Guards.
The US Treasury will freeze the assets of a senior guard commander, as well as four subsidiaries of a construction company he runs.The US Treasury will freeze the assets of a senior guard commander, as well as four subsidiaries of a construction company he runs.
The move follows the announcement by Iran of its decision to further enrich uranium for its nuclear programme.The move follows the announcement by Iran of its decision to further enrich uranium for its nuclear programme.
Tehran insists it is a civilian energy programme, but the West suspects it of trying to develop nuclear weapons.Tehran insists it is a civilian energy programme, but the West suspects it of trying to develop nuclear weapons.
Will you be at Tehran's Azadi square? Will you mark the anniversary? What do you have planned?Will you be at Tehran's Azadi square? Will you mark the anniversary? What do you have planned?
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