Iran opposition leader backs away from protests

Iran’s increasingly isolated opposition leader appeared to be backing away from confrontation with the government over the country’s disputed elections today.

Mir Hossein Mousavi said he will seek approval for future protests, even as he complained of unfair restrictions.

Mr Mousavi, who says he is the real winner of the June 12 presidential vote, has sent mixed messages to supporters, as protests have become scattered amid a tough government clampdown.

He urged supporters not to break the law, but also insisted he will not drop his challenge to the proclaimed victory of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mr Mousavi has alleged massive fraud, but Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled out a revote.

Khamenei has unleashed the Basij militia and the Revolutionary Guard, authorising them to use whatever force is deemed necessary to squash dissent. The militiamen have broken up even small groups of people walking together to prevent any possible gathering.

However dozens of friends and relatives of Neda Agha Soltan managed to pay tribute today to the 27-year-old who was shot dead on Saturday and has become a symbol of the protests.

The mourners arrived at Tehran’s Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in groups of two and three, muttered brief prayers, put flowers on her grave and then left.

Vigils for Ms Soltan have been held around the world.

Mr Mousavi said yesterday that he would seek permission for future protests, even though he said unfair restrictions were being imposed. He said he has been asked by the Interior Ministry to apply in person, a week ahead of time.

The opposition leader noted that his rival, Ahmadinejad, has been able to hold two post-election marches and a Tehran rally “that were well publicised on state television, seeming to encourage participation with their regularly advertised march routes.”

Mr Mousavi has said the authorities are pressuring him to withdraw his challenge by attempting to isolate and discredit him. He has not led a rally in more than a week.

Khamenei has ordered a large security detail around Mr Mousavi – ostensibly to protect him, but presumably also to restrict his movements. Authorities have also targeted those close to him.

The head of Mousavi’s information committee, Abolfazl Fateh, was banned from leaving Iran for Britain.

The semi-official Fars news agency said Mr Fateh was banned from travel so authorities could investigate “some of the recent gatherings,” a reference to election protests.

At least 11 Mousavi campaign workers and 25 staff on his newspaper have been detained since the election.