Further violence has erupted on the streets of Tehran as the Iranian authorities crackdown on demonstrations.
For over a week protestors have taken to the streets in response to the results of the recent presedential election. The Iranian government and the revolutionary guard told demonstrators that they would be dealt with harshly. Despite these threats many people continue to fill the streets and squares of Iran's cities on a daily basis.
Today our sources in Iran have reported scenes of butchery in Tehran. "In Baharestan square we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher." They also described the scenes elsewhere in Tehran. "Lalezar Square is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - people murdered everywhere...they catch people with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us.". Our source went on to say "they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us". Their recent posts suggests the level of terror within Iran, our source said "we must go...they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast...thank you ppls 4 supporting Sea of Green - pls remember always our martyrs - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar...you are the creator of all and all must return to you". Yesterday they sent several reports of what they had seen on the streets across Tehran. "Travelling through Tehran now is worse than Bagdad - any moment you can be beaten or arrested...We saw a 10 years old child die from teargas in his face...could not film because militia everywhere". They added that"some embassys provided protection before but now they are all surrounded by militia..,if you are injured then they arrest you"
The Iranian government has accused the West of supporting the protestors and the UK has be singled out as 'Evil' by Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran has also expelled two British diplomats from Iran leading to the British governments expulsion of two Iranian ebassy staff. British Prime Minister said that the allegations which had been made against staff at the British ebassy in Tehran were "without foundation". This event has seen an escalation in tensions between the two countries with Iran discussing the idea of downgrading relations with the UK. It is thought that as the US has no diplomatic representation in Iran that the UK, seen as America's 'puppet', is being targeted. In a statement President Obama said he was "apalled & outraged" by the use of violence against protestors in Iran but insisted that the US was not interfering with Iran's internal affairs.
The Iranian authorites are maintaining their severe restrictions on the foreign media, who are limited in their movements and are banned from reporting from 'illegal' rallies. Due to this social media and citizen journalism online has become the main source of information out of the country. Iranian protestors have been using sites such as twitter, youtube and flickr, among others, to give updates on the current situation and upload pictures and videos. Iranian authorites are using the internet to track down dissedent and fellow internet users are being advised not to post user names. Our source in Tehran said "rumour they are tracking high use of phone lines to find internet users - must move from here now" They added "dont know when we can get internet".
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