Thousands of supporters of Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi have taken to the streets of Tehran despite an appeal by their leader not to hold demonstrations today.
 
Mr Mousavi is also taking part in the protest together with Mehdi Karroubi, another defeated presidential candidate. The opposition leader has announced he will give a speech.

At first, Mr Mousavi did not want his supporters to hold a demonstration because of rumours that protesters would be shot by security forces. The Iranian interior ministry had banned today's' demonstration against the official election results. The opposition leader accuses the authorities of widespread electoral fraud and wants the victory of ruling President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad annulled.

At the weekend, rioting broke out in the capital Tehran when the police cracked down brutally on demonstrations against the election results. Today, supporters of Mr Mousavi's supporters were attacked by supporters of President Ahmedinejad. 

Former president Mohammed Khatami has spoken out in favour of the opposition leader. The European Union has called on Iran to launch an investigation into the election results.