Last night, Iran’s official news agency declared Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the landslide winner of Iran’s presidential elections, reportedly carrying nearly two-thirds of the votes. This morning, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud, Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi issued a brief statement that I have translated to English here:
In the Name of God
To the honorable nation of Iran, thank you for your enthusiastic turnout and widespread support. Despite numerous instances of cheating and sabotage and widespread shortcomings, incoming reports indicate that a decisive majority of the people’s votes were cast for this servant of theirs. I ask the repsonsible authorities to take utmost care in counting the ballots, and I announce that otherwise, I will employ all legal means to vindicate the lawful rights of the people. I would like to take this opportunity to ask the honorable Iranian nation to be prepared for a victory celebration on the eve of the birth of her eminence Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her).
Mir Hossein Mousavi
Morning of 13 June 2009
The birthday of Fatima Zahra is to be observed on Sunday, 14 June, so the celebration is planned for tonight. A confrontation seems inevitable.
