New protests over Iran elections

Footage which appears to show plain-clothes pro-government militia attacking a university dormitory Iranian presidential challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for peaceful demonstrations in protest at the result of last week's contested election. Mass rallies are expected to take place on Wednesday afternoon following raids on several university dormitories and the arrest of two pro-reform figures. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has sought to calm tensions and called for an end to rioting. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected last week with almost two-thirds of votes. Protests have grown since his re-election was confirmed on Saturday, with huge demonstrations in Tehran and clashes between protesters and security forces. Eight people have been killed. Opposition demonstrations are expected to wind their way through central Tehran from Haft e-Tir square on Wednesday afternoon. POLITICAL DISPUTES Jon Leyne Reporting from Tehran It's quite clear that there are enormous disputes going on behind the scenes. But the people who run this country are not stupid. There are some quite smart people, even loyalists to Mr Ahmadinejad, and they must realise how much deeper they are digging themselves into this mess every day. But at the moment, quite inexplicably, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei seems to be quite in thrall to Mr Ahmadinejad. It's almost as if he's taking his orders from him. He usually stays above the fray and interestingly he's still not been seen in public since the election. Online reports suggest protesters may march in silence in an effort to appear non-violent and avoid provoking the authorities. "We are after a peaceful rally to protest the unhealthy trend of the elections and realise our goal of annulling the election results," Mr Mousavi said in a statement on his website reported by the Associated Press. He said he was seeking a new election that would not repeat the "shameful fraud" of last week's vote. A similar march on Tuesday is thought to have passed off peacefully, although few details have emerged. Heavy restrictions have been placed on the BBC and other foreign news organisations. Reporters are not allowed to cover unauthorised gatherings or move around freely in Tehran - but there are no controls over what they can write or say. In other developments on Wednesday: • Mr Mousavi called for a day of mourning to be held on Thursday in memory of those killed during clashes with security forces. He also called for a mass demonstration and for protesters to wear or carry black. • Six footballers playing for Iran's national team, including the captain, have appeared in a World Cup qualifier in Seoul, South Korea, wearing armbands in green - the colour used by Mr Mousavi in his election campaign. Iran's Karimi Mohammad Ali wears green wristbands in Seoul • Two pro-reform figures, newspaper editor Saeed Laylaz and Hamid Reza Jalaipour, an activist and journalist, were arrested on Wednesday morning, reports said. Mr Laylaz is a political and economic analyst who is often critical of Mr Ahmadinejad and who has often been interviewed by foreign media. • The Revolutionary Guard, which answers to Iran's Supreme Leader, said it would take action against "deviant" news websites deemed to be creating tension in Iran. Overnight, members of Iran's Basij volunteer militia reportedly raided university dormitories in several Iranian cities. The Basijis stormed compounds, ransacking dormitories and beating up some students. Several arrests were made, our correspondent says, and the dean of the university in the city of Shiraz has resigned. Students have been active among Iran's opposition and there have been several reports of security forces moving in on university premises since protests began over the weekend. In the most high-profile incident, 120 lecturers at Tehran university resigned after a raid on that institution. Khamenei appeal The overnight raids came after another direct intervention in the crisis by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Ayatollah Khamenei has not appeared in public since the election results, but now seems to be deeply involved in the search for a solution to the stand-off. Meeting representatives of the four election candidates, he urged all parties not to agitate their supporters and stir up an already tense situation. He also repeated his offer of a partial vote recount, a proposal already rejected by the main opposition. "In the elections, voters had different tendencies, but they equally believe in the ruling system and support the Islamic Republic," the Associated Press reported him as saying. "Nobody should take any action that would create tension, and all have to explicitly say they are against tension and riots." In the US, President Barack Obama sought on Tuesday to stay neutral in the debate over Iran's election results, insisting he did not want to "meddle" in the affairs of the Islamic Republic, although he expressed "concern" at scenes of violence. However, in a TV interview he also cautioned that there might not be much difference between the policies of President Ahmadinejad and rival Mr Mousavi.