At Least 13 Dead in Iran Crackdown

A violent and chaotic day in Iran left dozens of protesters injured, with reports ranging from 13 to 19 deaths, reports the New York Times. The government's feared militia, the Basij, cracked down with water cannons, electric rounds, and live bullets against thousands of protesters in Tehran. The developments came on a day when challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi declared he is "ready for martyrdom" and President Obama criticized the government action as "unjust and violent" and warned that the "whole world is watching."

Reporters have been barred from covering the unrest, but bloggers, Tweeters, and those posting video on sites such as YouTube offered unconfirmed snapshots of the violence.
No end is in sight: challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi encouraged his supporters to continue, though he urged them to avoid violence and not to put their lives in danger. He also suggested he may be arrested soon.
(More Iran stories.)