Advisor to Iranian supreme leader calls for tolerance of dissent

"Why did this cleric play with the clean sentiments of people and others?" he said in a statement carried by Mehr. "Isn't there any organ to confront him? Those who participated in this rally should ask for God's forgiveness."

The Islamic Iran Participation Front, the nation's primary reformist grouping, also issued a statement posted to websites saying, "Those who have staged a coup against the republicanism of the system wish to remove the faithful and devoted elements from the social scene, hoping that in this way they could uproot the mighty and deep-rooted and homegrown reformist movement from the social scene in Iran."

Still, analysts expect neither the complaints from reformists nor the concerned comments by clerics to change the election outcome. Many within the establishment who harbor doubts about the election fear that a continuation of the unrest could undo the Islamic Republic.

"If even certain rights have been denied throughout the election process, nobody should make such a fuss," said Mohammadian, Khamenei's aide. "If the regime changes, everything would collapse."

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daragahi@latimes.com