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Iran police disperse protesters Iran police disperse protesters
(10 minutes later)
Iranian police have used water cannon, batons and tear gas to disperse protests over the presidential election, witnesses in Tehran say.Iranian police have used water cannon, batons and tear gas to disperse protests over the presidential election, witnesses in Tehran say.
Police earlier warned protesters not to gather, but several thousand made their way to the central rally site.Police earlier warned protesters not to gather, but several thousand made their way to the central rally site.
A BBC correspondent at Enghelab Square said there was a huge security operation, including military police, anti-riot police and Basij militia.A BBC correspondent at Enghelab Square said there was a huge security operation, including military police, anti-riot police and Basij militia.
There were also reports of a bombing at the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini.There were also reports of a bombing at the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini.
Two Iranian news agencies reported that the suicide bomber died and two people were injured in the bombing near the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 revolution.Two Iranian news agencies reported that the suicide bomber died and two people were injured in the bombing near the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 revolution.
There was no evidence to support the report, the BBC's Jon Leyne says from Tehran.There was no evidence to support the report, the BBC's Jon Leyne says from Tehran.
See map of central Tehran See map of central Tehran
The country's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei had warned protesters on Friday not to continue their rallies, but correspondents say the warning appears to have made some protesters more determined.The country's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei had warned protesters on Friday not to continue their rallies, but correspondents say the warning appears to have made some protesters more determined.
1320GMT TEHRAN BBC CORRESPONDENT1320GMT TEHRAN BBC CORRESPONDENT
I'm in the centre of Tehran close to Enghelab Square where the demonstration was supposed to have been held. But there's a huge security presence here, thousands of men from every possible service: police, revolutionary guard, military police, the riot police in full riot gear, and the much-feared Basij - religious paramilitaries who see themselves as the shock troops of the Islamic revolution.I'm in the centre of Tehran close to Enghelab Square where the demonstration was supposed to have been held. But there's a huge security presence here, thousands of men from every possible service: police, revolutionary guard, military police, the riot police in full riot gear, and the much-feared Basij - religious paramilitaries who see themselves as the shock troops of the Islamic revolution.
It's impossible for any groups of people to get through these to Enghelab Square and hold their demonstration.It's impossible for any groups of people to get through these to Enghelab Square and hold their demonstration.
If this continues and the opposition can't find some way around fierce security then the protests against the results of the presidential election will have been defeated.If this continues and the opposition can't find some way around fierce security then the protests against the results of the presidential election will have been defeated.
It was unclear if political leaders had backed their supporters continuing to march.It was unclear if political leaders had backed their supporters continuing to march.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • People using the micro-blogging site Twitter said smoke lay over Enghelab Square, and protesters were throwing stones
  • One witness told AFP news agency that he saw police beating people trying to reach the rally site
  • About 3,000 protesters were reportedly gathered at Enghelab Square, according to Associated Press news agency. They chanted "Death to the dictator" and "Death to dictatorship"
  • Witnesses told AP that up to 60 people were seriously beaten by police, with some being dragged away by fellow protesters
  • One witness told Reuters news agency that protesters loyal to defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi set fire to a building in southern Tehran used by backers of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
  • People using the micro-blogging site Twitter said smoke lay over Enghelab Square, and protesters were throwing stones
  • One witness told AFP news agency that he saw police beating people trying to reach the rally site
  • About 3,000 protesters were reportedly gathered at Enghelab Square, according to Associated Press news agency. They chanted "Death to the dictator" and "Death to dictatorship"
  • Witnesses told AP that up to 60 people were seriously beaten by police, with some being dragged away by fellow protesters
  • One witness told Reuters news agency that protesters loyal to defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi set fire to a building in southern Tehran used by backers of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
These reports could not be independently confirmed. Foreign news organisations - including the BBC - have been subjected to strict controls which prevent reporters from leaving their offices.These reports could not be independently confirmed. Foreign news organisations - including the BBC - have been subjected to strict controls which prevent reporters from leaving their offices.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, who is in Tehran, says his impression is that the police have broken up large crowds into smaller groups to prevent them assembling.The BBC's Jon Leyne, who is in Tehran, says his impression is that the police have broken up large crowds into smaller groups to prevent them assembling.
Confusing signalsConfusing signals
Early on Saturday, the wife of defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and an aide to another rival candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, said the rally would go ahead.Early on Saturday, the wife of defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and an aide to another rival candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, said the rally would go ahead.
But later reports said first that Mr Mousavi would be making a statement - which still has not been delievered - and then an aide to Mr Karroubi said his party had cancelled the protest.But later reports said first that Mr Mousavi would be making a statement - which still has not been delievered - and then an aide to Mr Karroubi said his party had cancelled the protest.
Speaking on state TV, deputy police chief Ahmad Reza Radan warned police would "certainly fight against any form of illegal gathering and protest". He also said protest organisers would be arrested.Speaking on state TV, deputy police chief Ahmad Reza Radan warned police would "certainly fight against any form of illegal gathering and protest". He also said protest organisers would be arrested.
Official results of the 12 June presidential poll gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a resounding 63% of votes, compared to 34% for his nearest rival, Mr 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, Mr Mousavi.
Tough choice for Mousavi Reporters' log: Iran's upheaval Key excerpts: Khamenei speech Living in Iran: Your viewsTough choice for Mousavi Reporters' log: Iran's upheaval Key excerpts: Khamenei speech Living in Iran: Your views
The result triggered almost daily street protests - a challenge to ruling authorities unprecedented since the Islamic revolution of 1979.The result triggered almost daily street protests - a challenge to ruling authorities unprecedented since the Islamic revolution of 1979.
Mr Mousavi had been expected, along with fellow challengers Mr Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai, to discuss more than 600 objections they had filed complaining about the poll at a meeting of the Guardian Council, which certifies elections, on Saturday.Mr Mousavi had been expected, along with fellow challengers Mr Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai, to discuss more than 600 objections they had filed complaining about the poll at a meeting of the Guardian Council, which certifies elections, on Saturday.
But neither Mr Mousavi nor Mr Karroubi attended the meeting - which suggests, our correspondent says, they have abandoned their legal challenge to the election results.But neither Mr Mousavi nor Mr Karroubi attended the meeting - which suggests, our correspondent says, they have abandoned their legal challenge to the election results.
State TV quoted the Guardian Council as saying it was "ready" to recount a randomly selected 10% of ballot boxes.State TV quoted the Guardian Council as saying it was "ready" to recount a randomly selected 10% of ballot boxes.
It had previously offered a partial recount of disputed ballots from the election, rather than the full re-run of the election demanded by protesters.It had previously offered a partial recount of disputed ballots from the election, rather than the full re-run of the election demanded by protesters.
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Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? Are you taking part in the demonstrations?Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? Are you taking part in the demonstrations?
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