The message is clear ...
the Iranian authorities have had enough
They've deployed hundreds of riot police in the streets of Tehran ... to prevent protesters from gathterin
there's no room for doubt : all illegal demonstration would be draw a firm response
SOT Police chief
these demonstrations are not authorised and are therefore illegal
The security forces will firmly Respond to all illegal protests
It seems as if the Iranian authorities have called the reformist camp's bluff
According to state television ... the leading opposition candidates cancelled ... at the last minute ... a planned demonstration in Tehran
But witnesses on the ground ... dispute that VERSION of events
They claim that the police used teargas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators
The security forces are also claimed to have fired shots in the air to prevent clashs between rival groups
FILE FOOTAGE 19 June 2009
It follows a day of confusion
A large show of defiance could prove to be the tipping point /// point of no return
Perhaps in an attempt to calm the situation
both main opposition leaders,
Mir Hossein Moussavi
and Mehdi Karoubi
kept a low profile
the apparent security clampdown follows the supreme leader's blunt warning at Friday prayers that any further protests could lead to bloodshed.
Meanwhile, the guardian Council ... did make a symbolic conciliatory gesture
The opposition wants last week's presidential election to be cancelled
In response, Iran's electoral watchdog said it would organise a recount of 1 in ten ballot boxes