Originally published February 13, 2011 at 9:28 PM | Page modified February 14, 2011 at 8:49 AM

Opposition leader's website calls for protests in Iran

A website connected to one of Iran's opposition leaders Sunday renewed calls for a rally in support of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, setting the stage for a possible confrontation Monday.

By Thomas Erdbrink

The Washington Post

TEHRAN, Iran — A website connected to one of Iran's opposition leaders, Mir Hossein Mousavi, on Sunday renewed calls for a rally in support of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, setting the stage for a possible confrontation Monday with the government. Iranian officials have refused to grant a permit for the demonstration.

Several student groups and a clerical council said they will join the protests.

Both the government of Iran and the grass-roots opposition movement here have endorsed the protests that brought down leaders in Tunisia and Egypt. But where the government sees signs of new Islamic revolutions in those nations, the opposition has supported the calls for more freedom by the protesters in North Africa.

In the past week, at least 30 journalists, student activists and family members of figures close to the opposition leadership have been detained, according to websites.

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