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| Call for Iran protesters' release | Call for Iran protesters' release |
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| Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani has called for the release of people who protested against the result of the recent election. | Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani has called for the release of people who protested against the result of the recent election. |
| In his first Friday sermon since the vote, he also said large numbers of Iranians still doubted its result. | In his first Friday sermon since the vote, he also said large numbers of Iranians still doubted its result. |
| Iranian police have fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters gathered at prayers at Tehran University. | Iranian police have fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters gathered at prayers at Tehran University. |
| There were chants of support for Mir Hossein Mousavi, who was reported to have attended the prayers. | There were chants of support for Mir Hossein Mousavi, who was reported to have attended the prayers. |
| Mr Mousavi was a defeated candidate in the 12 June vote. | Mr Mousavi was a defeated candidate in the 12 June vote. |
| IRAN UNREST 12 June Presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled, alleging poll fraudMass street protests saw at least 20 people killed, hundreds arrested, and foreign media restricted Q&A: Election aftermath Guide: How Iran is ruled Send us your comments | IRAN UNREST 12 June Presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled, alleging poll fraudMass street protests saw at least 20 people killed, hundreds arrested, and foreign media restricted Q&A: Election aftermath Guide: How Iran is ruled Send us your comments |
| Large numbers of his supporters gathered in the streets of Tehran after the prayers - the first large opposition rally for more than a week. | Large numbers of his supporters gathered in the streets of Tehran after the prayers - the first large opposition rally for more than a week. |
| It followed warnings from a minister against turning the occasion into a "stage for undesirable scenes". | It followed warnings from a minister against turning the occasion into a "stage for undesirable scenes". |
| Mr Rafsanjani is a key power broker in Iranian politics and has been a backer of Mr Mousavi. | Mr Rafsanjani is a key power broker in Iranian politics and has been a backer of Mr Mousavi. |
| During his sermon, which was broadcast live on state radio, he said something had to be done to allay people's doubts about the recent election result. | During his sermon, which was broadcast live on state radio, he said something had to be done to allay people's doubts about the recent election result. |
| "In the current situation it is not necessary for us to have a number of people in prisons... we should allow them to return to their families," he said. | "In the current situation it is not necessary for us to have a number of people in prisons... we should allow them to return to their families," he said. |
| "We are all members of a family. I hope with this sermon we can pass through this period of hardships that can be called a crisis." | "We are all members of a family. I hope with this sermon we can pass through this period of hardships that can be called a crisis." |
| Call for vigilance | Call for vigilance |
| The Friday Prayers at Tehran University are a weekly event attended by thousands and normally broadcast live to the nation. | The Friday Prayers at Tehran University are a weekly event attended by thousands and normally broadcast live to the nation. |
| BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the fact that state TV did not carry a live broadcast of Mr Rafsanjani's sermon showed the government was extremely nervous about what he had to say. | BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the fact that state TV did not carry a live broadcast of Mr Rafsanjani's sermon showed the government was extremely nervous about what he had to say. |
| Tehran University sermon | Tehran University sermon |
| It was the first time in two months that Mr Rafsanjani had led the prayers. | It was the first time in two months that Mr Rafsanjani had led the prayers. |
| Although he did not voice his opinion during the unrest that followed the election, members of his family - including his daughter Faezeh - openly supported Mr Mousavi. | Although he did not voice his opinion during the unrest that followed the election, members of his family - including his daughter Faezeh - openly supported Mr Mousavi. |
| It could be a key moment in the confrontation between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government and members of the opposition, our correspondent says. | |
| Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi on Thursday urged the "wise Iranian people" to be "vigilant that the Friday prayers not be turned into a stage for undesirable scenes". | Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi on Thursday urged the "wise Iranian people" to be "vigilant that the Friday prayers not be turned into a stage for undesirable scenes". |
| Nuclear reshuffle | Nuclear reshuffle |
| Violent street protests broke out in Iran amid accusations of fraud after President Ahmadinejad was re-elected in the 12 June election. | Violent street protests broke out in Iran amid accusations of fraud after President Ahmadinejad was re-elected in the 12 June election. |
| At least 20 people died and hundreds were arrested in the days that followed the poll. | At least 20 people died and hundreds were arrested in the days that followed the poll. |
| Iranian nuclear chief steps down | Iranian nuclear chief steps down |
| The country's most senior political figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, upheld Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's landslide victory and demanded an end to protests. | |
| Despite this, Mr Mousavi has remained defiant - demanding a re-run of the vote and describing the new government as illegitimate. | Despite this, Mr Mousavi has remained defiant - demanding a re-run of the vote and describing the new government as illegitimate. |
| Announcing his decision to attend Friday prayers, Mr Mousavi said on his website, "I feel obliged to respond to the call of companions on the path to protecting rights to a noble and free life". | Announcing his decision to attend Friday prayers, Mr Mousavi said on his website, "I feel obliged to respond to the call of companions on the path to protecting rights to a noble and free life". |
| Meanwhile, Iran has announced a new atomic chief following the resignation on Thursday of Gholam Reza Aghazadeh. | Meanwhile, Iran has announced a new atomic chief following the resignation on Thursday of Gholam Reza Aghazadeh. |
| Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's former envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will take up the post, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government announced. | Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's former envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will take up the post, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government announced. |
| It is not immediately clear why Mr Aghazadeh, the long-serving head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, stood down from the job, but he is said to be close to Mr Mousavi. | It is not immediately clear why Mr Aghazadeh, the long-serving head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, stood down from the job, but he is said to be close to Mr Mousavi. |
| Are you in Iran? What do you think Mr Rafsanjani will say in his first sermon since the election? How do you think Mr Mousavi will be received? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Iran? What do you think Mr Rafsanjani will say in his first sermon since the election? How do you think Mr Mousavi will be received? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |