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Iran clamps down on foreign media Iran clamps down on foreign media
(30 minutes later)
Authorities in Iran have announced sweeping new restrictions on foreign media, effectively confining journalists to their offices.Authorities in Iran have announced sweeping new restrictions on foreign media, effectively confining journalists to their offices.
The move comes as the powerful Guardian Council says it is ready to recount some votes from Friday's disputed presidential poll.The move comes as the powerful Guardian Council says it is ready to recount some votes from Friday's disputed presidential poll.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner and thousands of his supporters are rallying in Tehran.President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner and thousands of his supporters are rallying in Tehran.
But his rival Mir Hossein Mousavi and other candidates are seeking a rerun.But his rival Mir Hossein Mousavi and other candidates are seeking a rerun.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says they may not accept the recount offer.The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says they may not accept the recount offer.
Several people died in a huge pro-opposition rally on Monday and Mr Mousavi urged followers not to take part in another demonstration planned for Tuesday, amid fears of new violence.Several people died in a huge pro-opposition rally on Monday and Mr Mousavi urged followers not to take part in another demonstration planned for Tuesday, amid fears of new violence.
"This headquarters calls on people to avoid the trap of planned clashes," a Mousavi spokesman told AFP news agency. See map of central Tehran"This headquarters calls on people to avoid the trap of planned clashes," a Mousavi spokesman told AFP news agency. See map of central Tehran
The march was due to have taken place in Tehran's Vali Asr Square at the same time as a demonstration there by supporters of Mr Ahmadinejad. But there were reports of small groups of opposition supporters gathering nonetheless.
Thousands of the president's followers have converged there, some waving the national flag, as well as ones of orange, yellow and green. The opposition march had been due to take place in Tehran's Vali Asr Square at the same time as a demonstration there by supporters of Mr Ahmadinejad.
Thousands of the president's followers have converged there, some waving the national flag.
Media clampdownMedia clampdown
The new restrictions on foreign media require journalists to obtain explicit permission before leaving the office to cover any story.The new restrictions on foreign media require journalists to obtain explicit permission before leaving the office to cover any story.
Journalists have also been banned from attending or reporting on any "unauthorised" demonstration - and it is unclear which if any of the protests are formally authorised.Journalists have also been banned from attending or reporting on any "unauthorised" demonstration - and it is unclear which if any of the protests are formally authorised.
VOTE RECOUNT Jon LeyneReporting from Tehran The more I see this announcement about being willing to recount ballots, the more I think it is just a political ruse to try and wrong-foot the opposition. They have offered a recount, but they have not said who is going to carry it out. Maybe the same people who did the election count to start with. VOTE RECOUNT Jon LeyneReporting from Tehran I really get the impression that the authorities are swinging back and forth between different policies. There is definitely indecision in the leadership, maybe even a power struggle there.
In any case, the opposition says there were so many other irregularities, that a recount alone would not satisfy them. For example, many more ballot papers were issued than counted, they say. Some people did not get enough ballot papers so they could not vote in areas loyal to the opposition. Polling stations were closed early, and so on and so forth. Because, frankly, they are simply witnessing the completely unexpected - nobody expected to see possibly millions of people out on Monday, in defiance of all the threats.
class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8102693.stm">Q&A: Latest from Tehran The government is so used to putting threats out and frightening people away from demonstrating. And suddenly this defiance has completely wrong-footed them. And it scared them, because this is exactly the way they came to power in 1979.
Press cards have been declared invalid.Press cards have been declared invalid.
Our correspondent says they are the most sweeping restrictions he has ever encountered reporting anywhere.Our correspondent says they are the most sweeping restrictions he has ever encountered reporting anywhere.
He says the clampdown comes amid shock and fear among authorities at the show of defiance by opposition supporters who attended Monday's huge illegal rally, insisting the vote was rigged. He says the clampdown comes amid surprise and fear among authorities at the show of defiance by opposition supporters who attended Monday's huge illegal rally, insisting the vote was rigged.
The Guardian Council - Iran's top legislative body - said votes would be recounted in areas contested by the losing candidates.The Guardian Council - Iran's top legislative body - said votes would be recounted in areas contested by the losing candidates.
But a spokesman for the council told state television it would not annul the election - as moderate candidates have demanded.But a spokesman for the council told state television it would not annul the election - as moderate candidates have demanded.
The opposition says millions of ballots may have gone astray.The opposition says millions of ballots may have gone astray.
Hospital officials said eight people died at the end of Monday's protest, in violence which a report on state radio blamed on "thugs".Hospital officials said eight people died at the end of Monday's protest, in violence which a report on state radio blamed on "thugs".
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Supporters of President Ahmadinejad rally in Tehran on TuesdaySupporters of President Ahmadinejad rally in Tehran on Tuesday
Dozens of people have been arrested since the protests began. Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a close aide of ex-President Mohammad Khatami, was detained at his home in Tehran on Tuesday.Dozens of people have been arrested since the protests began. Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a close aide of ex-President Mohammad Khatami, was detained at his home in Tehran on Tuesday.
Those detained also include prominent journalist and academic Ahmad Zeidabadi. His wife says he was picked up in the middle of the night on Saturday.Those detained also include prominent journalist and academic Ahmad Zeidabadi. His wife says he was picked up in the middle of the night on Saturday.
GUARDIAN COUNCIL Iran's most powerful body, currently controlled by conservativesIncludes six theologians picked by Supreme Leader and six jurists approved by parliamentHalf the members change every three yearsApproves bills passed by parliament and can veto them if deemed inconsistent with the constitution or Islamic lawThe council can also bar candidates from standing in elections Q&A: who's who in Iran How Iran is ruled Profile: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad GUARDIAN COUNCIL Iran's most powerful body, currently controlled by conservativesIncludes six theologians picked by Supreme Leader and six jurists approved by parliamentHalf the members change every three yearsApproves bills passed by parliament and can veto them if deemed inconsistent with the constitution or Islamic lawThe council can also bar candidates from standing in elections Q&A: Who's who in Iran How Iran is ruled Profile: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8102676.stm">Iranians use video to tell story
"There is no explanation from the authorities about why he was arrested or where he is," she told the BBC."There is no explanation from the authorities about why he was arrested or where he is," she told the BBC.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television said the "main agents" behind the unrest had been detained, and guns and explosives seized.Meanwhile, Iranian state television said the "main agents" behind the unrest had been detained, and guns and explosives seized.
There are reports of fresh demonstrations at Tehran University - one of the main centres of tension in recent days. About 120 university lecturers have resigned.There are reports of fresh demonstrations at Tehran University - one of the main centres of tension in recent days. About 120 university lecturers have resigned.
The powerful Speaker of parliament, Ali Larijani, has condemned an attack by police and militia on a student dormitory.The powerful Speaker of parliament, Ali Larijani, has condemned an attack by police and militia on a student dormitory.
Iranian media quoted him as saying: "The interior minister is responsible in this regard."Iranian media quoted him as saying: "The interior minister is responsible in this regard."
Unrest has been reported in other parts of Iran. One of Mr Mousavi's websites said a student had died on Monday in clashes with hardliners in the southern city of Shiraz.Unrest has been reported in other parts of Iran. One of Mr Mousavi's websites said a student had died on Monday in clashes with hardliners in the southern city of Shiraz.
Foreign concernForeign concern
Our correspondent Jon Leyne says the authorities appear to be weakening in their support for Mr Ahmadinejad.
Jon Leyne in Iran: 'A huge battle behind scenes'
The country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered an inquiry into the allegations of vote-rigging.
The authorities' handling of the protests has drawn international criticism.The authorities' handling of the protests has drawn international criticism.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says strict reporting restriction have been imposed
EU foreign ministers expressed "serious concern" and called for an inquiry into the conduct of the election.EU foreign ministers expressed "serious concern" and called for an inquiry into the conduct of the election.
US President Barack Obama said he was "deeply troubled" by the violence in Iran.US President Barack Obama said he was "deeply troubled" by the violence in Iran.
But the Iranian authorities have bristled over the criticism. On Tuesday the Iranian foreign ministry summoned the Czech charge' d'affaires in Tehran to complain over the EU's "rude and interfering" remarks.
Meanwhile, President Ahmadinejad arrived in Russia on Tuesday.Meanwhile, President Ahmadinejad arrived in Russia on Tuesday.
He told a regional summit that the "age of empires" had ended, but made no mention of the protests.He told a regional summit that the "age of empires" had ended, but made no mention of the protests.
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