Government cracks down In Tehran,Iran

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Protesters rally; government cracks down

TEHRAN, June 17 (UPI) -- Throngs of supporters of reform leader Mir Hossein Mousavi filled a Tehran square Wednesday evening, calling for a new presidential election, witnesses said.

The demonstrators in Haft-e-Tir Square want government officials to throw out the results of Friday's balloting that favored President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, CNN reported.

Protesters held placards and posters reading, "Where is my vote?" "Silence" and "Freedom," the witnesses told the U.S. network.

At least eight people have died in the unrest that has taken hold in Iran since the election, Iran's government-funded Press TV reported.

Mousavi said on his Web site that he and former President Mohammad Khatami sent a joint letter asking Iran's courts to release protesters who have been detained, and to take action to calm the citizenry.

Mousavi also called for a "ceremony of mourning" Thursday afternoon, which he planned to attend.

Iran expanded its crackdown on journalists Wednesday and for the first time accused Western countries of interfering in Iran's disputed presidential election.

Iranian leaders summoned the Swiss ambassador -- who represents U.S. interests in Iran -- and ambassadors from Britain, France and the Czech Republic to clarify their countries' stance on the election and to complain of "interventionist" statements, Iranian media outlets reported.


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