Timeline: Iran election turmoil
Eight people have died in pro-Mousavi protests already (This file is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License)
Also In The News
|
Shahid Afridi hit 51 runs and took two wickets in a brilliant performance as Pakistan beat South Africa by seven runs to advance into the final of the World Twenty20, reports Richard James from Trent Bridge. |  |
Friday, 19, Jun 2009 04:58
Keep up to date with the chain of events that has led to the biggest challenge to the government in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
- - - - - - - - -
Saturday June 20th
Despite supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for opponents of Ahmadinejad to accept the results of the presidential elections, a protest rally went ahead, with a huge security presence dispersing the demonstrators.
Eyewitness reports claimed police used water canons, tear gas and batons to break up the rally with thousands chanting "Death to dictatorship" as they attempted to defy government warnings and protest at Enghelab Square.
There were also reports of a fire at Ahmadinejad's headquarters as well as unconfirmed claims of a suicide bombing at the shrine of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini.
Friday June 19th
After day of silence, the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public remarks on the elections.
Defying pre-sermon predictions of a balancing act, the ayatollah came firmly down on the side of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, calling on the protests to end and demonstrators to accept the results as they stood.
While Iran and the world awaits the response of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the ayatollah also found time to brand Britain the "most evil" of Iran's enemies.
Thursday June 18th
Following calls from Mousavi himself, supporters pledged to attend mass demonstrations - the biggest since the election results were published - in mourning for the eight people killed in Monday's rally.
Wednesday June 17th
The clampdown on foreign media continued on Wednesday, but the authorities were powerless to prevent members of the country's national football team from wearing green armbands in apparent support of Mousavi.
In the afternoon thousands of marchers rallied in northern Tehran in complete silence in a pointed reminder of the peaceful nature of their demonstrations.
Tuesday June 16th:
It emerged on Tuesday that eight people died in Monday's rallies, with confusion and doubt surrounding state television reports that "thugs" attacked a military post.
As Barack Obama made his first public comments on the turmoil - he said he was "deeply troubled" by the post-election violence, Iran's guardian council said it would hold a partial recount into disputed ballots.
Monday June 15th:
International concern over the results grew on Monday, as the world - particularly Europe - was urged to refute Ahmadinejad's re-election.
As Mousavi supporters were urged to stay away from a banned rally over fears security forces would use live ammo, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accepted a request for an official inquiry into the results.
That spurred marchers to go ahead with a rally in Tehran, attended by Mousavi himself.
Hundreds of thousands, perhaps more than a million, took to the streets in a largely peaceful protest marred by bloodshed.
Sunday June 14th:
The Iranian authorities' response to angry protests in Tehran was to arrest scores of reformist figures, including the brother of former president Mohammad Khatami.
At the first official press conference of his second administration, Ahmadinejad acknowledged the "great ordeal" of the elections, but insisted they were valid.
Later, at a victory rally and amid conflicting reports of the whereabouts of Mousavi, Ahmadinejad used a football analogy to explain away mass protests, likening marchers to angry football fans.
Saturday June 13th:
Hours after the polls closed Mir Hossein Mousavi had apparently been phoned by officials congratulating him on his victory, but on Saturday Iranians woke up to the news that Ahmadinejad had been re-elected.
Official results released at midday gave Ahmadinejad 62.63 per cent, with Mousavi given just 33.75 per cent despite pre-election predictions high turnout would play into the challenger's hands.
Violent demonstrations greeted the results after Mousavi alleged widespread electoral fraud, dubbing the results a "dangerous charade".
Friday June 12th:
After months of campaigning that was brought to an end by some stunning live debates between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his presidential rivals, Iran's 48 million-strong electorate went to the polls.
The turnout was so high that polling had to be extended by two hours.