Adding to the growing tension, Mirhossein Mousavi has sent a letter to ruling clerics insisting that the disputed June 12 election be annulled. The reformist ex-prime minister is also said to allege that the rigging of the vote was planned months ago.

And witnesses say he told supporters today that he is ready for “martyrdom”. They also say he called on his supporters to stage a national strike if he is arrested. The comments are likely to anger Khamenei and other ruling clerics who have been struggling to stop more than a week of demonstrations and unrest.More about: Iran

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