Iran's oppositions hardens against violent crackdown
Updated
There's shock around the world today at the weekend scenes of violence on the streets of Iran.
Despite the expulsion of foreign media, Iranians themselves have posted reams of footage on websites such as You Tube - showing the extent of the crackdown by authorities.
The main opposition candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, is now talking about dying for the cause.
Presenter: Anne Barker, Middle East Correspondent
Speaker: Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian Foreign Minister; Mohsen Makhmalbaf, foreign spokesman for opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi
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(Sound of protest)
ANNE BARKER: Foreign TV cameras might be banned from Tehran, but almost every hour graphic amateur video of Saturday's violence is posted on the Internet for the world to see.
Much of it is too distressing to broadcast on television.
In this video a young man is shot in the chest and killed - apparently by Iranian security forces seen patrolling the nearby rooftops.
(Sound of shots and yelling)
As the young man's bloodied body is laid on the ground, the crowd goes into a frenzy.
Protesters run in every direction - some to escape, others fight back with rocks or stones. Many more simply run and scream in despair.
(Sound of screaming)
Throughout it all the gunshots continue - while Iran's dreaded Basij militia continue to circle the streets.
Most distressing of all is a video that captures the last moments of a young woman's life.
Apparently shot in the throat or chest - the woman's eyes still register for a few final seconds as those around try in vain to save her.
The true death toll may never be known - but Iranian state television claimed 10 people died in Saturday's violence and more than 100 were injured.
And far from taking responsibility, Iran's leaders continue to blame foreign governments for the crisis.
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki addressed foreign diplomats on state television.
MOTTAKI (translated): A more serious and fundamental analysis. I think foreign embassies need to pay due attention to such points and issues. So that they can have the right image, the right picture.
BARKER: The bloodshed and brutality has only hardened the resolve of the protesters against Iran's dictators.
The main Opposition candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi has told his supporters he's ready for martyrdom.
And his foreign spokesman Mohsen Makhmalbaf has told Al Jazeera television the protesters too are prepared to die for the cause.
MAKHMALBAF: We are the winner of this election. Mr Ahmadinejad is always (inaudible) be care for Khamenei. The main dictator of Iran is Khamenei. And the Iranian people become tired of that during 30 past years. We announce to the world that we don't want dictator anymore.
I mean Ahmadinejad and Khamenei is going to kill the people. People are ready for dying
BARKER: Iran's Guardian Council is preparing to recount a random 10 per cent of last week's vote.
Mir-Hossein Mousavi says nothing less than a new election will be acceptable.
