Opposition to challenge Iran election result

Anger over the outcome of Iran’s election shows no sign of abating, with further protests against what President Ahmadinejad’s opponents say was a rigged vote. There have been more clashes between demonstrators and police in some parts of the city. Anti-riot officers used teargas and were reported to have fired shots in the air in a bid to disperse the crowds.

The pro-reform opposition candidate Mirhossein Mousavi has launched a legal challenge to the result and called on his supporters to stay on the streets in peaceful protest.

As his opponents mass on the streets, supporters of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have turned out in even greater numbers to hear an election victory speech by the Iranian President. Earlier he had told a news conference that Western media claims of election fraud were to blame for disturbances in Tehran.

He also said that any country that dared to attack Iran would “deeply regret” such a move. Western concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme have fuelled speculation about a possible military strike by Israel or the US. But he also reaffirmed he would be open talks with America. Despite the unrest elsewhere in the capital, Ahmadinejad remains very popular with much of the people.

The United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has adopted a softly-softly approach to the dispute over the validity of the Iranian election result. Clinton made no mention of opposition claims that the contest was a charade when giving her reaction on a visit to Canada. “We obviously hope that the outcome reflects the genuine will and desire of the Iranian people,” said Clinton.

The Obama administration wants to open up dialogue with Iran and analysts say if it backs the opposition protests there will be little hope of opening up dialogue with Ahmadinejad.