TEHRAN, June 18 (Xinhua) -- The government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a Thursday statement that "the enemies of the nation" are fomenting post-election riots across the country, the local Press TV reported.
"Our enemies and their media have hired some opportunists and mischievous elements and have misused the simple-mindedness of some people to cause unrest," the statement was quoted as saying.
Supporters of Iran's former Prime Minister Mousavi hold a picture of Mousavi during a rally in Tehran, capital of Iran, June 15, 2009. Tens of thousands of people were seen on Monday at Tehran's Enghelab Avenue marching all the way west to the prestigious Azadi (liberty) square, for a massive rally to support the defeated presidential candidate Mir- Hossein Mousavi. (Xinhua/Stringer) Photo Gallery>>>
It also accused the Western foreign media of "spreading lies and rumors" to create doubts over the health of Friday's presidential election, according to the report.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defended his re-election in the country's "most glorious" presidential election on Sunday, but his major challenger Mir-Hossein Mousavi demanded the election result to be annulled.
In an address to thousands of his supporters in Tehran's Vali-e-Asr Square to celebrate his victory on Sunday, Ahmadinejad said " Iran's election is a real and free election" and that the "great people" of Iran chose the one whose policies they trust much.
File photograph taken on June 2, 2009 shows Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes a victory sign in Tehran, capital of Iran. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won a landslide victory in the 10th presidential election, securing a second term of presidency for the next four years, Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli said on Saturday afternoon. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz) Photo Gallery>>>
On Saturday afternoon, Iran's Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli announced that the incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won 62.63 percent of the total votes during Friday's vote, while former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi got 33.75 percent in Iran's presidential competition.
After the official declaration, Mousavi protested in a statement the "obvious" violations in Iran's presidential election.
Accordingly, a series of protest rallies were organized by the rival candidates, though urged to be held peaceful, in some instances ended in violence and the death of at least seven Iranians.
TEHRAN, June 18 (Xinhua) - Iran's election headquarters has rejected a request by the defeated presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei to release details of the ballot box results, Iran's satellite Press TV website reported Thursday.
"The law does not reserve such a right for candidates," we will act within the framework of the law, head of Iran's Electoral Office Kamran Daneshjou was quoted as saying. Full story
TEHRAN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Supporters of Iran's defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi staged their latest massive rally on Wednesday in central Tehran, Iran's state television reported.
Television footage showed that the demonstrators were holding placards in support of Mousavi and the presenter said the rally took place at the Haft-e Tir Square in central Tehran. Full story
TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Supporters of both Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi held separate massive rallies in Tehran on Tuesday, state television reported. Full story
TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people have been killed at a mass rally held by tens of thousands of supporters of Iran's defeated reformist presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi, local English-language Press TV reported on Tuesday.
The protesters were killed after they tried to attack a military post near Tehran's Azadi (Liberty) Square on Monday, the report said. Full story
TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that vote re-count in case of need must be carried out in the presence of representatives of the presidential candidates, Iran's state television reported.
"Any re-count must be done in the presence of representatives of the presidential candidates," Khamenei said, "so that everyone will be assured." Full story
TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Iranians gathered in downtown Tehran Tuesday afternoon for a "unifying rally," Iran's state television reported.
Most of the people were supporters of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and they were also protesting against recent "riots" on Iran's streets, mostly in Tehran, according to the state television. Full story
TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Tuesday banned foreign journalists from news coverage in Tehran following street protests against Iran's presidential election result.
An official from Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance told Xinhua that journalists could continue to work in their offices but they cannot go out and do any interviews as the authorities were cancelling press accreditation of all foreign media. Full story
TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) - Iran's Guardian Council said on Tuesday that it is ready to recount the disputed polling boxes, local English-language Press TV said.
The council, Iran's top legislative body, has agreed on a recount of disputed ballot boxes in last week's presidential election if it finds irregularities in the vote count, Press TV said. Full story
