During a 32-year career with an international organisation, I have lived and worked in many countries including Iran and Iraq (between 1988 and 1990), Syria; and Israel.

SUPPORTERS of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and defeated challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi staged rival rallies yesterday, while the clerical regime said it would recount some disputed ballots from the presidential election.

Canada's ambassador to Iran has been ordered to leave the country by Tehran, the Canadian foreign minister said last night, calling the move entirely unjustifiable.

A senior provincial official has said the death toll from the Iranian earthquake has risen to 500.

Iran’s largest pro-reform party has lost hope that free and fair parliamentary elections can be held as scheduled on February 20 and will boycott the polls, its leader said today.