Keep an eye of the BBC News blog reference Iran

[dipsydoodle]

Hit refresh occasionally for latest :

Page last updated at 13:58 GMT, Thursday, 18 June 2009 14:58 UK

The BBC's team of correspondents logs its reports and personal impressions as the turmoil surrounding the disputed results of Iran's presidential elections continues.

MARCUS GEORGE, TEHRAN, 1300 GMT
Marcus George

According to eyewitness reports thousands of opposition supporters have congregated in Imam Khomeini square in southern Tehran. Many are dressed in black to mourn those killed in protests earlier this week.

Supporters are telling each other to stick closely together for better protection. They say that the pro-government militia squads will be out in force at the protest.

The opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, has called for the growing number of those arrested to be released. It is reported that more senior opposition figures have been detained including Ebrahim Yazdi, a former foreign minister-turned government critic.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8105207.stm

[Hoopla Phil]

1. So when does the shooting start. Oh wait

it has, there has just been no return fire. I feel very sorry for these people. I see a repeat of China in the making.

[MADem]

2. This is how the Revolution was won. They know what they are doing. Yes, it is dangerous.

If anyone is killed, then they hold ANOTHER mourning gathering. It's not a rally, it's more like a funeral service.

You won't see green shirts and bright colors--everyone will be dressed as for a funeral.

This is an incredible display of strength. I don't think this will be China--it may be thirty years ago, in Iran, though.

I hope. I hope they get it right this time, too!

[Wizard777]

3. That revolution was lead by Grand Ayatollah Montazeri. He's backing this one as well.

Montazeri defeated us in 79. Ahamadinejad doesn't stand a chance against him. If Montazeri didn't think he could win this. He would have kept his mouth shut. But he is arguing from a very strong position. Basically that he cannot support the election results and still call himself a man of God. Montazeri is a wise and caring man I would be proud to call brother. God bless him and his followers in this struggle for Truth and the Wisdom it brings.

[bdamomma]

4. these Grand Ayatollah have a lot of power, hopefully this can be

remedied. All the power to the people they show so much courage and braveness.

[dipsydoodle]

5. Already updated again

A BBC CORRESPONDENT, TEHRAN, 1730 GMT
Silhouette

The crowd is enormous. It is impossible to put any kind of estimate on the numbers because it is so spread out. It starts down in a large square, Iman Khomeini square, and is filling the streets and avenues all around.

The most you can say is that there are several hundred thousand people here. And just like Mr Mousavi asked, the great majority are wearing sombre clothes. Many are in black, especially the women, who have turned out wearing black chadors.

It is, in effect, a funeral procession for the eight people who were killed here in Tehran on Monday, and the perhaps seven or so who have been killed in other parts of the country.

But the most remarkable thing about this demonstration is the complete silence. The only sound is a certain amount of conversation. There is no shouting, no chanting - just a really dignified silence.