Iranian Police Fight Protesters as Khamenei Says Vote to Stand
Police fired ammunition into the air and beat demonstrators protesting in central Tehran against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Associated Press reported, citing witnesses. Some protesters fought back, AP said.
“The Islamic establishment and people will never give in to forceful demands in regard to the election,” Khamenei, the highest authority among the Shiite Muslim clerics who rule Iran, told lawmakers yesterday in Tehran, according to state television. “The violation of the election will lead to dictatorship.”
Khameneis remarks came after President Barack Obama this week stepped up criticism of Irans crackdown on protesters, reacting to the violent confrontations between the government and the opposition. Ahmadinejads challengers have said the election was rigged.
“The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings and imprisonments of the last few days,” Obama said at a White House news conference on June 23. “I strongly condemn these unjust actions.”
The government has banned opposition rallies, with security forces using water cannon, tear gas and clubs to disperse crowds. About 450 people were arrested in Tehran on June 20, state-run Press TV said. At least 17 people have been killed in protests since the election, according to the government.
Facebook Communication
Farsi-language users of Facebook said on the social- networking Web site that a young woman was shot when riot police and militia tried to disperse protesters near parliament yesterday.
It wasnt immediately possible to verify the entries on Facebook, which Iranians have increasingly relied on to find out about the crisis since the government shut down or hampered other forms of communication.
The planned demonstration near parliament was “independent” and unconnected to the campaign of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the main opponent in the presidential race, according to a statement on his Web site before the rally began.
“The law must be the last word in all issues,” Khamenei said. “If lawlessness prevails, then things will be difficult.”
Leaders Warning
The Guardian Council, which oversees the countrys elections, two days ago ruled out an annulment of the election.
Obama said hes waiting to see how the turmoil in Iran evolves before deciding how he might change his strategy of engaging the government there diplomatically to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon, which he called a “core national security interest” of the U.S.
“We dont know yet how this thing is going to play out,” he said. “It is not too late for the Iranian government to recognize that there is a peaceful path that will lead to stability and legitimacy and prosperity for the Iranian people.”
Significant Questions
Obama said “significant questions” cloud the elections legitimacy. “Ultimately, the most important thing for the Iranian government to consider is legitimacy in the eyes of its own people, not in the eyes of the United States.”
Irans crackdown on protests is “obviously not encouraging” for any diplomatic breakthrough, he said.
He also said the U.S. and other nations arent interfering in Irans internal affairs.