BBC News Updated every minute of every day

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:08 GMT 11:08 UK

I had high hopes for the elections in Iran but was blinded by optimism and the straight forwardness of Barack's speech in Cairo. The type of response from the incumbent party entrenched in Iran says something important people need to understand about the power of the control of communications to filter public response to current situations. Not just Iran but China, Europe the US and everywhere in between people need to have their voice heard. The climate is changing and it may never change back.

Dale Lanan, Longmont, United States

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:05 GMT 11:05 UK

As a futurist with indepth knowledge of how the world will develop over the next few years, I can say catagorically that Iran will take an even more extreme stance with regard to the rest of the world. High on their list will be nuclear weapons. Through these they will seek to inspire fear - and a warped sense of respect to be gained from fear. However, these weapons WILL be handed over to terrorists to create massive instability and destruction.

Take my word for it.

James Stuart, London

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:03 GMT 11:03 UK

I find it extremely annoying when reading comments that take a swing at the BBC and the western media. How can and how dare people jump on the Iranian regime's bandwaggon and say that it's the BBC and the likes that intice the unrest in Iran.
You people take your freedom far too granted to see and understand for one millisecond how ridiculously full of lies the Iranian TV and press is!!!
You people insult the concept and meaning of the word liberal and liberalism.

[Armenian-Chap], Tehran, Iran

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:00 GMT 11:00 UK

Iranian protesters have to turn up the heat before its old news,

I know its easy to say when your outside but its the only way otherwise its history.

BASIC OBSERVER, LONDON, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 09:54 GMT 10:54 UK

Do west believe in democracy?they call Hamas which is popularly elected as' terrorists'.It is wrong for Hamas to resist the ongoing occupation?

Raihan, Singapore

It's quite possible to be terrorists and democratically elected. If being democratically elected gives carte blanche to do anything, then no democratically elected govt could ever be criticised

Steve Edwards, Bishop's Stortford, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 09:33 GMT 10:33 UK

Er, leave Iran alone perhaps!? When on earth will Britain learn its lesson? How many times have we been here before? Although I'm British, if Iran were ever to retaliate against the UK, with or without nuclear, it would be fully justified. The British goverments underhanded dealings in foreign affairs are an assault on democracy. Shame on Britain.

Steve, London

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 09:28 GMT 10:28 UK

A group of Iranians (inside Iran) have created a community which they call Iran'e Sabz (Green Iran). What they plan to do is to paint walls, streets, fences green. Drop blank green paper in buses, taxis and metro. They say they will also be careful not to damage private property. They plan to get as many Iranians as possible to do it so that the whole country starts doing it. This is another peaceful form of protest. I guess Islamic regime will start banning green paint, cucumber, parsley etc.

Green, World

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 09:11 GMT 10:11 UK

Tyrants have always dominated politics & astute tyrants have made religion a binding tool of their political dominance. Islam so perfectly fits the need it is little wonder the Iranian regime remains stable despite speculation in the west.
It will remain so until a sophisticated, intelligent & well-educated population dare to cast off the shackles of superstition in favour of something better.
At present the west offers a poor alternative model. Iranians aren't stupid. Their time will come.

Communist Fall 1989, Hungary to Berlin

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 08:54 GMT 09:54 UK

Iran lacks democracy in a very negative way. The Guardian Council, ayatollah etc are behaving like parents treating their people like they are children. This explain why they act so defensive when offered international advice. Nothing will change until they here the voices of its nation instead of the voices coming from their holy book.

Concerned Brit, London

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 08:47 GMT 09:47 UK

It's all talk, isn't it ? Whether it is Iran, Gaza, Burma, Zimbabwe or North Korea, it is hard to remove a corrupt government.From inside, or outside. Just deal with whoever is in charge as best as you can, and as little as you can.Libya, Cuba, sounds familiar. Just make sure they don't blow us all up - if you have to do something about that, you can blame the United States and the Israelis and carry on as normal.

[newleedsman], Leeds, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 08:42 GMT 09:42 UK

Q1: Do you think that some countries are interested to destabilize Iran?
Q2: Which countries are those?
Q3: Why would those countries try to destabalize Iran?

Frank Heydenreich, P, France

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 08:41 GMT 09:41 UK

This is an old trick, very reminiscent of USSR communism. The idea is to compleely distract the most vocal critics abroad, so that they stop worrying about democracy in Iran and focus instead on the fate of those arrested. It's worked, hasn't it?

Ralph Cook, Barking, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 08:28 GMT 09:28 UK

It is unlikely that Mousavi or anybody else will bring change. The key thing, is that the Iranian people want change. It won't happen in our lifetime, but eventually, Iran will be free of opressive leadership.

Amy, USA

Is there a disconnect between your perception of the demonstrations and what they were really about? Mousavi NEVER called for a dissolution of the state, just for a redo. Which means that he believes in the system but, rejected the way that particular election was handled.

Tito

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 08:16 GMT 09:16 UK

I feel sorry for Iran. Their leaders have grown used to power, they enjoy it. Iranians have nothing to look forward to except oppression. It is no longer a fight for Islam, it is a fight of the oppressor against the oppressed.
Obama is afraid to help them, afraid to speak out.
Relations with the UK and the rest of Europe will only improve when the current leaders are gone.

John, Morpeth

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 08:06 GMT 09:06 UK

The streets have become quieter and "Hope" has just been reduced to a mere word for people there.My heart goes out for people whose life and will is being controlled with a blunt slap on world's pro democracy voices.An Iranian friend of mine was accusing Michael Jackson of dying now suddenly because it is going to divert the attention of the world. Imagine the despair

Saurav, Pune,India