Supreme leader calls Iran vote “definitive victory;” offers no concession to opposition

October 5th, 2009 Iran's supreme leader replaces militia chiefTEHRAN, Iran — Iran's state news agency is reporting that the country's supreme leader has named several new military commanders, including a new head of the militia force at the center of the postelection crackdown. The forces of the Basij militia were blamed for much of the violence against crowds protesting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed June 12 re-election.

September 11th, 2009 Iran's supreme leader warns opponents in sermonTEHRAN, Iran — Iran's supreme leader has warned opponents that any confrontation with the country's Islamic establishment would meet with a "harsh response." The remarks by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were a clear message to the Iranian opposition and reformists who have challenged his authority in the aftermath of the disputed June presidential election. Khamenei says authorities will strongly punish those who "take up the sword" to "confront the principles of the Islamic system." But he said peaceful differences and criticism by officials would be tolerated.

August 12th, 2009 Iran opposition leader calls for 'deep change'TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's top opposition leader called on Wednesday for a "deep change" in the country, in one of the most forceful calls to date for a major reform of the country's political system. Mir Hossein Mousavi said on his Web site that the abuses the opposition say took place in the country's prisons following anti-government demonstrations indicate the need for a major overhaul.

August 11th, 2009 Iran opposition leader says 69 dead in unrestTEHRAN,Iran — A top aide of Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has handed over a list of 69 victims of the post-election crackdown to parliament. Ali Reza Beheshti told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the list also includes 220 detained and should by no means be considered exhuastive.

August 10th, 2009 Iran's opposition wants investigation into rapeTEHRAN, Iran —One of the defeated reformist candidates in Iran's disputed presidential election is calling for an investigation into whether protesters detained after the vote were raped in custody. Mahdi Karroubi says he has received reports from former military commanders and other senior officials that male and female detainees have been repeatedly raped by their jailers.

August 4th, 2009 Gibbs: Ahmadinejad 'elected leader' of IranWASHINGTON — White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is "the elected leader" of the Islamic republic. Gibbs was asked Tuesday if the White House recognized Ahmadinejad as the country's legitimate president.

August 3rd, 2009 Iran's Ahmadinejad to be endorsed for 2nd termTEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Supreme Leader is to formally endorse Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president, a step leading up to his inauguration in parliament. But the country's opposition and moderates — including former president Hashemi Rafsanjani — say they'll boycott Monday's ceremony in defiance of an election they decry as fraudulent.

June 30th, 2009 Franken: 'So thrilled' at Minn. Senate race winMINNEAPOLIS — Democrat Al Franken says he's "so thrilled" to finally be celebrating a victory after nearly eight months of recounts and courtroom fights in Minnesota's Senate race.

June 26th, 2009 Opposition leader's aide banned from leaving IranEDITOR'S NOTE: Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices. This report is based on the accounts of witnesses reached in Iran and official statements carried on Iranian media.

June 24th, 2009 Supreme leader: Iran won't give in on electionCAIRO — Iran's supreme leader said Wednesday that the government would not give in to pressure over the disputed presidential election, effectively closing the door to compromise with the opposition. 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.

June 19th, 2009 Obama: Concerned by Iran supreme leader's remarksWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he is very concerned by the "tenor and tone" of comments by the Iranian supreme leader, who warned of a crackdown if protesters continue massive street rallies. In an interview taped Friday with CBS News' Harry Smith, Obama said that Iran's government should "recognize that the world is watching." He said that "how they approach and deal with people who are, through peaceful means, trying to be heard" will signal "what Iran is and is not." Obama spoke after a Friday address by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

June 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today said that the recent presidential elections showed off the country's religious democracy for the world to see, shrugging an unprecedented challenge to the country's ruling clerics by opposition supporters, who claim the June 12 presidential election was rigged. He said on Friday that there was "definitive victory" and no rigging in the disputed presidential elections, offering no concession to protesters demanding the vote be canceled and held again.

June 19th, 2009 Iran's top leader warns against further protestsTEHRAN, Iran — Iran's supreme leader said Friday that Iran's disputed presidential vote had not been rigged, sternly warning protesters to halt massive demonstrations demanding a new election or be held responsible for creating chaos. Ayatollah Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sided with hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and offered no concessions to the opposition.

June 16th, 2009 Iran's supreme leader calls for national unityTEHRAN, Iran — State television says Iran's supreme leader has called for national unity during a meeting with representatives of the four candidates in disputed presidential elections. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for Iranians to unite behind the cleric-led ruling system despite rival demonstrations and street clashes between supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his reformist opponent Mir Hossein Mousavi, who says Ahmadinejad stole re-election.

June 13th, 2009 US hopes Iran vote shows 'genuine will and desire'NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario — The U.S. on Saturday refused to accept hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's claim of a landslide re-election victory in Iran and said it was looking into allegations of election fraud.