Turmoil elicits differing analyses Neda: a young woman's death becomes a rallying cry Duelling claims for power Mousavi, improbable leader of the green wave

"According to the telephone conversations I have had with other leaders, I think that we will go in the direction you indicated, namely sanctions."
   
Iran has repeatedly accused the West particularly Britain and the United States of "meddling" as its Islamic rulers struggle to contain the most serious upheaval since the revolution 30 years ago.
   
In the face of a massive crackdown on protesters, the opposition has scaled down its public demonstrations over the election results.
   
At least 17 people have been killed and many more wounded in clashes with security forces, according to state media.
   
Ahmadinejad on Monday called for a probe into the death of Neda Agah-Soltan, a woman whose apparent killing by the Islamic militia during a protest rally in Tehran generated an international outcry.
   
Neda became an icon for the opposition after an Internet video showing her final moments was seen around the world.
   
On Sunday, riot police in Tehran dispersed about 3,000 Mousavi supporters  who had defied a ban on public gatherings, witnesses said, with one reporting a "minor confrontation."
   
The information could not be independently verified as foreign media are banned from the streets under tough new restrictions imposed by the authorities.
   
The Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights said on Sunday that more than 2,000 people are still in custody and hundreds more missing across Iran as a result of the government crackdown on the opposition.
   
London-based watchdog Amnesty International said it was gravely concerned that several opposition leaders may be facing torture, possibly to force them to make televised 'confessions' as a prelude to unfair trials in which they could face the death penalty.
   
It expressed particular concern for the well-being of three former officials in the government of Mohammad Khatami, whose 1997-2005 presidency saw a thaw in relations with the West -- Mohsen Aminzadeh, Abdollah Ramazanadeh and Mostafa Tajzadeh.