Rafsanjani speaks out against Iranian regime's handling of post-election turmoil
Today Rafsanjani, one of Iran's most powerful clerics, attacked the Iranian government for its handling of protests and unrest that followed the disputed presidential election result. The situation in Iran is extremely tense, because even as Rafsanjani made his comments, police fired teargas and attacked thousands of opposition supporting demonstrators with batons to try and disperse them.
A vast crowd of mostly opposition supporters and some government supporters had packed the prayer hall and shouted competing slogans. Pro-government hardliners chanted "death to America", while opposition supporters countered with "death to Russia", referring to the Iranian government's ties to Moscow. Most of the pro-reform worshipers had green headbands, wristbands and prayer rugs in green – the color of the opposition movement.
Mousavi attended the Friday prayers for the first time since the election. During Rafsanjani's sermon, the crowd inside the hall at Tehran University could be heard chanting, not only inside, but also outside and even via the state radio, "Mousavi, Mousavi, we support you." Tonight the situation remains extremely tense in Teheran were earlier at least 15 people were arrested, including a well known women's rights activist.
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