Election Victory Emboldens Ahmadinejad

New lawmakers expected to blast prez on economy

(NEWSER) - Early results in Iran's elections today are no surprise—conservatives will keep power—but they are expected to be more critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Reuters reports. Some are teaming with reformists to fight the president's economic policies, which have let inflation rise to 19%. Reformists also picked up seats despite having many candidates disqualified. More»

But Iran won't retreat 'even an iota' on right to program

(AP) - Iran will not give up its nuclear program but is ready to cooperate with the West, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech today. It's Western powers that have moved, he said in a speech on state television, “from confrontation to interaction” with Iran on the nuclear issue so that “ground has been paved for nuclear cooperation.” Ahmadinejad's remarks appear to reinforce Iran's support for the general outline of a UN-drafted nuclear deal, but he insisted his government "will not retreat even an iota" over the nation's right to pursue a nuclear program. More»

Nation may have reached its goal

(NEWSER) - Iran has likely taken its nuclear program as far as it wants to and the nation may be willing to make a deal with the US and its allies this month, analysts say. The country has developed the capability to create and deliver a nuclear weapon without actually making it, which many believe was its goal all along. "Iran has all the advantages of actual possession of a bomb without any of the unpleasant consequences of the sort North Korea is suffering,” one expert notes. More»

Witness describe chaos at a protest near Tehran mosque

(AP) - Riot police clashed with up to 3,000 protesters near a mosque in north Tehran today, using tear gas and truncheons to break up Iran's first post-election demonstration in 5 days. Witnesses told the AP that some protesters fought back, chanting: "Where is my vote?" They said others described scenes of brutality—including the alleged police beating of an elderly woman—in the clashes around the Ghoba Mosque. More»

(NEWSER) - Iran's supreme leader has ordered presidential challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi to stand by his side at morning prayers tomorrow in a show of national unity, the Times of London reports. It's not clear if Mousavi will do so, or what consequences he'll face if he defies Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's demand. Mousavi may have more clout to work with, however, after yet another massive gathering in Tehran. More»