Ahmadinejad landslide win disputed
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's main rival in the Iranian presidential election race is claiming there has been massive fraud at the polls.
It came as the interior ministry said Ahmadinejad had polled nearly 80% of all the votes counted so far.
Challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi alleged widespread irregularities, including polling stations that had closed with voters still waiting - suggesting he was ready to challenge the results.
But bringing any showdown into the streets of Iran would certainly face a swift backlash from security forces, which have already issued stark warnings against unrest or any threat to the Islamic regime.
A series of cyber-strikes - text messaging blackouts, blocks on pro-Mousavi websites and widespread internet disruptions - also raised worries that the authorities were prepared to exert further pressures on the communications lifelines of Mousavi's rejuvenated reformist movement.
The messy and tense outcome capped a long day of voting. It was extended for several hours to accommodate a huge turnout that had people waiting for hours at polling stations in blistering heat and night time downpours.
Mousavi, a 1980s-era prime minister, had been counting on an outpouring from what's been called his "green tsunami" - the signature colour of his campaign and the new banner for reformists seeking wider liberties at home and a gentler face for Iran abroad.
He raised hopes that a new leadership might embrace US president Barack Obama's invitation to open dialogue and take a less confrontational path with the West over Iran's nuclear programme.
But moments after Mousavi called a news conference to declare victory, Iran's state news agency reported that Ahmadinejad was the victor. Both claims came shortly after the polls closed but before any vote tallies were announced.
Based on figures released by the interior ministry, about 75% of the 46.2 million eligible voters went to the polls.
