"140 characters feels like a novel when you're being shot at."

After Iranian authorities banned foreign journalists from reporting from opposition rallies, the role of 'citizen journalism' on sites such as twitter has become the main source of information. The Iranian government has been trying for days to block internet access to prevent this cyber-dissent, however, with the help of international internet users have established proxy servers giving some the ability to log on to post information, videos and pictures. One twitter user said "140 characters feels like a novel when you're being shot at." Others have twittered events as they see them and a regularly updating to the #iranelection hashtag.

The data stream has been flowing since the election results were announced, but in light of today's developments, bloggers and internet users are now the primary source of information. Posters have used social media sites to spread information about rallies and to tell the world of events in Iran.

Despite Mir Hossein Mousavi calling off Tuesday's rally, fearing further violence, reports from Tehran say "Millions and millions of people spontaneously gathered on the streets." Yesterday saw violence throughout Tehran and 8 protestors were shot dead with several others wounded. Huge crowds gathered outside the Headquaters of Iranian State TV and Radio complaining about the bias in reporting and continued with the chants of "death to the dictator" that have been heard across the city for days. The government ordered a pro-Ahmadinejad rally, busing supporters in from rural areas, the numbers were far less than those at opposition demonstrations.

Tonight reports from Tehran say that "1000's on balconies - Tehran is alive with sound of freedom." People are chanting from their balconies in a similar way to the events leading to the Islamic Revolution of 1979. A source says that "now is dark baseej start to make trouble" and reports say that there is "street fighting in Azadi square and surrounding streets -pepper gas and fires".

Ahmadinejad has gone ahead with a visit to Russia, blanking the political turmoil in Iran. Whilst meeting with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Ahmadinejad made no comment on the events currently taking place across Iran. Meanwhile, in Tehran, the guardian council has said that they will be a partial recount in some areas but have ruled out an annulment of the election result.

Current posts online suggest that more rallies are being organised for tomorrow, in what will be the fifth day of demonstrations.