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Iranians braced for crucial day Iranians braced for crucial day
(10 minutes later)
Tensions are high in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei ordered an end to street protests that have shaken the establishment.Tensions are high in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei ordered an end to street protests that have shaken the establishment.
The country's powerful Guardian Council is due to meet defeated candidates in the contested elections on Saturday to hear their complaints.The country's powerful Guardian Council is due to meet defeated candidates in the contested elections on Saturday to hear their complaints.
But it is not yet clear if rallies also due on Saturday will go ahead.But it is not yet clear if rallies also due on Saturday will go ahead.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, says nightly rooftop chants of opposition became louder than ever on Friday.The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, says nightly rooftop chants of opposition became louder than ever on Friday.
If the rallies do go ahead, ignoring the strongly-worded warning of the country's highest authority would be a direct challenge to Iran's leadership, he says.If the rallies do go ahead, ignoring the strongly-worded warning of the country's highest authority would be a direct challenge to Iran's leadership, he says.
LATEST FROM TEHRAN The BBC's Jon Leyne
The demonstration that was planned is not due to start for several hours. We still do not have a very clear idea what is happening, but an aide to Mehdi Karroubi told us the rally will go ahead and all the leaders will go - Mr Mousavi, Mr Karroubi, and former President Khatami, who has been a strong ally for them.
This has not been confirmed directly from the leaders, but if it is the case, it will be the most direct confrontation and challenge to the authority of the Supreme Leader.
A final, huge clash with the security forces is what everyone fears. The tenor of what the Supreme Leader said on Friday was that any restraint they might have had will now be put aside. People are obviously very worried about what might happen.
Official results of the 12 June presidential poll gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a resounding 63% of votes, compared to 34% for his nearest rival, Mir Hossein Mousavi.Official results of the 12 June presidential poll gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a resounding 63% of votes, compared to 34% for his nearest rival, Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Mr Mousavi is expected, along with fellow challengers Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai, to discuss more than 600 objections they have filed complaining about the poll.Mr Mousavi is expected, along with fellow challengers Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai, to discuss more than 600 objections they have filed complaining about the poll.
The Guardian Council, which is the body which certifies the election, has so far only offered a partial recount of disputed ballots from the election.The Guardian Council, which is the body which certifies the election, has so far only offered a partial recount of disputed ballots from the election.
On Friday, US President Barack Obama warned Iran that the "world is watching" events there. He expressed concern at "some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made".On Friday, US President Barack Obama warned Iran that the "world is watching" events there. He expressed concern at "some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made".
Tactical momentTactical moment
Fresh opposition protests had been planned for Saturday but it is unclear whether they will go ahead - and if they are called off, whether opposition supporters will stay at home.Fresh opposition protests had been planned for Saturday but it is unclear whether they will go ahead - and if they are called off, whether opposition supporters will stay at home.
An aide to Mr Karroubi told the BBC that an opposition rally would go ahead, and that it would be attended by Mr Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami - the former president, key reformist and ally of Mr Mousavi.An aide to Mr Karroubi told the BBC that an opposition rally would go ahead, and that it would be attended by Mr Mousavi and Mohammad Khatami - the former president, key reformist and ally of Mr Mousavi.
Profile: Ayatollah Khamenei Protest at 'evil UK' comment Iran's internet dilemma Khamenei speech: Iran reaction
"Straight challenge is not acceptable after the election," Ayatollah Khamenei told thousands of Iranians who massed to hear him on Friday."Straight challenge is not acceptable after the election," Ayatollah Khamenei told thousands of Iranians who massed to hear him on Friday.
"This is challenging democracy and election itself. I want every side to put an end to this method. If they don't then the responsibility of its consequences, the riots should be shouldered by those who do not put an end to it.""This is challenging democracy and election itself. I want every side to put an end to this method. If they don't then the responsibility of its consequences, the riots should be shouldered by those who do not put an end to it."
Our correspondent says this is a key tactical moment for Iran's opposition: should the protests continue, despite the threat of a violent response from authorities? Or should alternative forms of protest, such as a general strike, be considered?Our correspondent says this is a key tactical moment for Iran's opposition: should the protests continue, despite the threat of a violent response from authorities? Or should alternative forms of protest, such as a general strike, be considered?
The rally was attended by President Ahmadinejad. But former President Rafsanjani, who is backing the opposition, did not attend.The rally was attended by President Ahmadinejad. But former President Rafsanjani, who is backing the opposition, did not attend.
Profile: Ayatollah Khamenei Protest at 'evil UK' comment Iran's internet dilemma Khamenei speech: Iran reaction
Although the Supreme Leader controls many levers of power, Mr Rafsanjani heads the Assembly of Experts, which has the power to elect the leader, supervise him, and theoretically even to dismiss him, our correspondent says.Although the Supreme Leader controls many levers of power, Mr Rafsanjani heads the Assembly of Experts, which has the power to elect the leader, supervise him, and theoretically even to dismiss him, our correspondent says.
Behind the scenes, he says, there appears to be both a political battle between two veterans of the Islamic Revolution, but also a titanic dispute about the whole future of Iran, whose outcome no-one can predict.Behind the scenes, he says, there appears to be both a political battle between two veterans of the Islamic Revolution, but also a titanic dispute about the whole future of Iran, whose outcome no-one can predict.
Iran has seen almost-daily rallies since the presidential result was declared a week ago.Iran has seen almost-daily rallies since the presidential result was declared a week ago.
The human-rights group Amnesty International says it believes about 10 people have been killed.The human-rights group Amnesty International says it believes about 10 people have been killed.
'Political earthquake''Political earthquake'
In his speech during Friday prayers, Ayatollah Khamenei criticised Western governments for their reaction to the re-election of President Ahmadinejad.In his speech during Friday prayers, Ayatollah Khamenei criticised Western governments for their reaction to the re-election of President Ahmadinejad.
President Obama has warned the world is watching events in Iran
Ayatollah Khamenei hit out at what he called the arrogant powers, and media leaders in the US and some European countries who, he said, had shown their true faces.Ayatollah Khamenei hit out at what he called the arrogant powers, and media leaders in the US and some European countries who, he said, had shown their true faces.
He said the election was a "political earthquake" for Iran's enemies - singling out the UK as "the most evil of them" and accusing the British of trying to foment unrest in the country.He said the election was a "political earthquake" for Iran's enemies - singling out the UK as "the most evil of them" and accusing the British of trying to foment unrest in the country.
"Some of our enemies in different parts of the world intended to depict this absolute victory, this definitive victory, as a doubtful victory," the supreme leader said."Some of our enemies in different parts of the world intended to depict this absolute victory, this definitive victory, as a doubtful victory," the supreme leader said.
In a stern warning to protesters, he called on them to stop and said their political leaders would be blamed for any violence.In a stern warning to protesters, he called on them to stop and said their political leaders would be blamed for any violence.
Responding to allegations of electoral fraud, the ayatollah insisted the Islamic Republic would not cheat.Responding to allegations of electoral fraud, the ayatollah insisted the Islamic Republic would not cheat.
"There is 11 million votes difference," the ayatollah said. "How can one rig 11 million votes?""There is 11 million votes difference," the ayatollah said. "How can one rig 11 million votes?"
Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? What do you think of the ayatollah's speech?Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? What do you think of the ayatollah's speech?
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