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/uk/8112812.stm
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Iran Guards vow protest crackdown | Iran Guards vow protest crackdown |
(19 minutes later) | |
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have threatened to crack down on any new street protests against the results of the country's presidential election. | Iran's Revolutionary Guards have threatened to crack down on any new street protests against the results of the country's presidential election. |
In a statement, the guards vowed to react in a "revolutionary" way to suppress unauthorised demonstrations. | In a statement, the guards vowed to react in a "revolutionary" way to suppress unauthorised demonstrations. |
On Friday Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned protests, prompting street violence in which at least 10 people died. | On Friday Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned protests, prompting street violence in which at least 10 people died. |
Some 1,000 pro-opposition demonstrators gathered in central Tehran soon after the Guards gave their warning. | |
Eyewitnesses told AFP news agency that hundreds of riot police were taking up position to confront the protesters at the scene on Haft-e Tir Square. | |
Severe reporting restrictions placed on the BBC and other foreign media in Iran mean the report could not be verified independently, but Reuters also reported a 1,000-strong gathering. | |
The BBC's permanent correspondent in Iran, Jon Leyne, was asked to leave the country on Sunday. | |
'Revolutionary confrontation' | 'Revolutionary confrontation' |
The Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite security force, have close ties to the country's supreme leader. | The Revolutionary Guards, Iran's elite security force, have close ties to the country's supreme leader. |
We know that some of them are tracking us on our phone Behrooz, student in Tehran, speaking to the BBC News website Q&A: Election aftermath | We know that some of them are tracking us on our phone Behrooz, student in Tehran, speaking to the BBC News website Q&A: Election aftermath |
In a statement posted on their website, they said their troops would break up street protests and force protesters from the streets. | In a statement posted on their website, they said their troops would break up street protests and force protesters from the streets. |
"Be prepared for a resolution and revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij [pro-government militia] and other security forces and disciplinary forces," they said. | "Be prepared for a resolution and revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij [pro-government militia] and other security forces and disciplinary forces," they said. |
"The Guards will firmly confront in a revolutionary way rioters and those who violate the law," they added. | "The Guards will firmly confront in a revolutionary way rioters and those who violate the law," they added. |
The plain-clothed Basij militia was involved in quelling earlier protests during more than a week of demonstrations against the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.. | |
The streets of Tehran were quieter on Sunday, with the earlier weekend violence leading many Iranians to abandon protest plans. | The streets of Tehran were quieter on Sunday, with the earlier weekend violence leading many Iranians to abandon protest plans. |
One regular protester, a 20-year-old student called Behrooz contacted by the BBC several times in recent days, said he was concerned he would be attacked if he took part. | One regular protester, a 20-year-old student called Behrooz contacted by the BBC several times in recent days, said he was concerned he would be attacked if he took part. |
"My mother went to the demonstration on Saturday," he said. "She wasn't hurt, but she saw guards attacking people and hitting them with batons." | "My mother went to the demonstration on Saturday," he said. "She wasn't hurt, but she saw guards attacking people and hitting them with batons." |
Protesters were aware their electronic communications were being monitored, Behrooz added. | Protesters were aware their electronic communications were being monitored, Behrooz added. |
"We know that some of them are tracking us on our phone," he said. "When we say certain words... such as 'supreme leader' or 'demonstration' our lines are cut." | "We know that some of them are tracking us on our phone," he said. "When we say certain words... such as 'supreme leader' or 'demonstration' our lines are cut." |
Mobile calls were being blocked in the evenings and phones would not work in areas where people were demonstrating, he said. | Mobile calls were being blocked in the evenings and phones would not work in areas where people were demonstrating, he said. |
Some online messages said opposition supporters planned to carry candles at a rally in Tehran on Monday evening in memory of those killed. | Some online messages said opposition supporters planned to carry candles at a rally in Tehran on Monday evening in memory of those killed. |
Media 'vandalism' | Media 'vandalism' |
Results showed Mr Ahmadinejad won the 12 June election by a landslide, taking 63% of the vote, almost double that of Mir Hossein Mousavi, his nearest rival. | Results showed Mr Ahmadinejad won the 12 June election by a landslide, taking 63% of the vote, almost double that of Mir Hossein Mousavi, his nearest rival. |
Iran's government insists its election was entirely free and fair | Iran's government insists its election was entirely free and fair |
Following complaints, the powerful Guardian Council, which oversees the electoral process, now says it has found evidence that more votes were cast in some constituencies than there were registered voters. | Following complaints, the powerful Guardian Council, which oversees the electoral process, now says it has found evidence that more votes were cast in some constituencies than there were registered voters. |
But the number had "no effect on the result of the elections", a council spokesman said on Monday. | But the number had "no effect on the result of the elections", a council spokesman said on Monday. |
Speaking at a news conference, foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi accused Western governments of explicitly backing violent protests aimed at undermining the stability of Iran's Islamic Republic. | Speaking at a news conference, foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi accused Western governments of explicitly backing violent protests aimed at undermining the stability of Iran's Islamic Republic. |
"Spreading anarchy and vandalism by Western powers and also Western media... these are not at all accepted," he said. | "Spreading anarchy and vandalism by Western powers and also Western media... these are not at all accepted," he said. |