Iran elections: Khamenei warns protesters to stay off streets

guardian.co.uk, ^ | Friday 19 June 2009 11.15 BST | Haroon Siddique

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, giving his Friday prayer sermon at Tehran University. Photograph: Reuters TV/Reuters

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remained defiant today in the face of vote-rigging allegations as he condemned the protests that have rocked the country since last week's disputed elections.

Speaking at Friday prayers, Khamenei claimed that the high turnout at the elections showed how much the Iranian people supported the regime, and warned protesters to keep off the streets.

The reformist presidential challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi, was conspicuous by his absence from Friday prayers at Tehran University, where Khamenei was making his first public appearance since controversially endorsing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's election as president.

With the crowd chanting "Death to the US," Khamenei praised the president as "hardworking" and dismissed the idea that the election might have been rigged.

"The Islamic republic will never manipulate votes and commit treason," he said. "The legal structure in this country does not allow vote-rigging." He said that vote-rigging to the extent of the 11m votes in the official results was impossible.

He added: "If some people have doubts and evidence it should be dealt with through legal ways – only through legal ways. I will never accept illegal innovations."

Some followers of Mousavi, who support his claim to have won the election, had called for a boycott of prayers at the university because of the refusal to annul the result of the poll, but TV pictures showed thousands of people listening to Khamenei and occasionally chanting affirmation of his words.

Khamenei said people were "wrong" to think they could influence the establishment by taking to the streets.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

"Arm wrestling in the street must stop," he said. "I want everyone to put an end to this. If they don't stop this … they will be held accountable for all of this."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Next act coming up....

Related thread from Sunday:

Iran: There Will Be Blood

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Access to The Twitter news... @ iranelection :

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http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23iranelection

Need eyes watching the Tweeter network..@iranelection

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well,...he must have the enforcement goons ready...no longer stalling.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Speaking at Friday prayers, Khamenei claimed that the high turnout at the elections showed how much the Iranian people supported the regime, and warned protesters to keep off the streets.

Talk about having a tin ear...

[LibLieSlayer]

That black turdban would look good with a few 7.62mm holes in it.

LLS

[Man50D]

Twitter report

Starting last night Basij Milita's have started setting up check points around Tehran. Flash back to 30-yrs ago

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From Twitter :

RT so predictable of our supreme leader! he talked about US conspiracy (as usual) #iranelection

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More:

VIVA THE REVOLUTION.

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RT: Khamenei you are HISTORY. We will pay with our blood for our Freedom and Democracy. #gr88 #iranelection VIVA THE REVOLUTION.

2 minutes ago from web

Revolutionnews

RevolutionNews

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I get the distinct impression that Iran is not about to have an all-embracing Kumbaya moment!

[Charles Martel]

Yep, I’ve been wondering when the militia check points would be reported. I can see why, too - take a look at the picture at the top of this thread. For the first time I can recall, the Ayatollah looks worried.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More:

Every dictatorship needs a scapegoat

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@oxfordgirl Every dictatorship needs a scapegoat (like Orwell described)...apparently US no longer a convincing one. #iranelection

6 minutes ago from web

Nerine23

Nerine

[never4get]

...My thoughts has been if piece of garbage mullahs gives the order to their home grown and imported goon squads to start mowing down the Iranian population in the streets you will see the Army and Police switch sides to protect the locals...This decision by the mullahs will result in no in-between, just live or die on their part...If they decide to go the “crush the protests through force” route and and fail, my guess is they themselves, the mullahs will be the ones swinging from the lamp posts.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Khameni irrelavant,

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RT Khameni irrelavant, has already changed his mind twice. Rafsanjani with Ass Experts working to impeach him. #iranelection #iranelections

half a minute ago from TweetDeck

rkburkhart

Robert Burkhart

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More:

Saturday's rally

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RT from Iran: Saturday's rally with Khatami, Mousavi & Karroubi @ 4pm in Enghelab sq. is very critical. #iranElection #gr88

5 minutes ago from TwitterFox

iran88

Iranian

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More:

Night Clashes

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RT : Night Clashes between Protestors and Basiij very brutal! Many Protestors injured , many disapear! #IranElection #gr88 #Iran #tehran

2 minutes ago from web

IranianFreedom

Navid

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More:

mentioned Clinton

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RT @LilyMazahery Khamenei specifically mentioned Clinton by name and is blaming the U.S. for murdering 80 people in one house. #IranElection

4 minutes ago from web

henksijgers

Henk Sijgers

[Charles Martel]

...apparently US no longer a convincing one.

Hope and Change meets Unintended Consequences...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

More:

Iran Gov brings Arab Supporters

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RT : CONFIRMED!! Iran Gov brings Arab Supporters to do the dirty job and beat up protestors! #IranElection #gr88 #Iran #tehran

1 minute ago from web

IranianFreedom

Navid

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

LOL!