Khamenei Throws Down the Gauntlet

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today warned protesters to stay off the streets and denied accusations that last Friday's elections were rigged. In a Friday prayer session attended by overflowing crowds at Tehran University, he said he would never give in to "illegal pressures" and warned of bloodshed if protests continued. According to the New York Times website, the government has already begun denying permits for opposition rallies.

It appears that this move is meant to break what looked like a growing deadlock and raise the stakes in the emerging political game. He has effectively dared the opposition to move. It doesn't seem likely that such a large and mobilized movement will be easily intimidated. However, the prospect of violence is very real if demonstrations continue. After that it is anyone's guess how the rest of the game plays out.