Khamenei says won't give in to pressure
Photo: AFP
Mottaki. Studying options
Photo: AP
Supreme leader says Iran won't cede on election
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iranian government won't give in to pressures over disputed presidential vote. Islamic republic's foreign minister says considering downgrading ties with Britain, which has been accused of spying and fomenting days of unprecedented street protests
Iran's
supreme leader says the government won't give in to pressures over the disputed presidential election, effectively closing the door to compromise with the opposition.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a meeting with lawmakers that: "Neither the system nor the people will give in to pressures at any price."
Iran also said it was considering downgrading ties with Britain, which it has accused of spying and fomenting days of unprecedented street protests over the vote.
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Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi claims that hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the June 12 presidential election through massive fraud. He has called for annulling the results and holding a new vote.
Earlier Wednesday, Iran said it was considering downgrading ties with Britain after days of rising tension over criticism of Iran's disputed presidential election.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was asked about the option of reducing diplomatic relations with London after a Cabinet meeting in Tehran.
"We are studying it," Mottaki said, according to state television.
Iran expelled two British diplomats Tuesday after bitterly accusing Britain of spying and fomenting days of unprecedented street protests over the vote.
Supporters of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi say the election, called for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was tainted by massive fraud.
