Iranian Students News Agency

Scores of young men gathered around the Tehran home-office of Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, shouted slogans against her and vandalized her home in the latest episode by hard-line political groups close to the government to intimidate the human rights lawyer.

Iran's most powerful political and spiritual leader warned voters Monday against supporting pro-Western candidates in next month's presidential election, comments widely seen as supporting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's approach to foreign policy over those of his challengers. "Those who submit to the enemies and bring shame on the nation should not come to power by the people's vote," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during a speech in the western town of Bijar.

A top aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who had voiced a moderate stance toward Israel came under heavy pressure to resign Sunday as government-controlled news outlets issued conflicting reports about whether he had already left his post. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of the central city of Shiraz, chanting anti-government slogans as Iranians prepared for another wave of demonstrations.

Iran executed two alleged government opponents Thursday, sentenced nine others to death as "enemies of God" and warned of more public trials of opposition supporters in an apparent attempt to intimidate a widespread protest movement challenging the nation's hard-line establishment. FOR THE RECORD: Iran executions: The deck headline on an earlier version of this article said the two opposition figures were alleged members of Mujahedin Khalq. They were alleged members of the Kingdom Assembly.

Security forces in the Syrian capital increased checkpoints, troop deployments and helicopter patrols Saturday in a bid to keep an overnight surge of antigovernment protests in the suburbs from spreading to the heart of Damascus, a crucial stronghold for President Bashar Assad. The beefed-up deployments came as Iran, Syria's closest ally, for the first time publicly pressed Assad's government to accede to the "legitimate" demands of the Syrian public. Damascus and the commercial city of Aleppo are key centers of support for Assad's government.

The young woman dressed to dazzle. In a bright violet coat framing an ornately embroidered top, she cut an elegant figure Tuesday as she walked through columns of sunshine in the capital's Mirdamad metro station. But in addition to admiring glances, she caught the attention of government morality enforcers, who hurried after her. "Madam!" one bearded young man in a police uniform called out. "While you were passing by I could see your body." The young woman appeared stunned.

An Iranian American journalist has been charged with espionage by Iran's security court, judicial officials and her lawyer said Wednesday. Roxana Saberi, 31, a freelance journalist living in Tehran, was arrested more than two months ago and is being held in Evin prison in the capital. Sohrab Heydarifard, the judge overseeing her case, told state television that Saberi was being charged with working for U.S. intelligence. "The charge against her is one of espionage," he said.

Iran's move on Tuesday to produce higher-grade uranium for a medical reactor prompted widespread international condemnation and an uncharacteristically harsh response from Russia, whose support is key to U.S.-led efforts to impose tough new sanctions against the Islamic Republic. But the response from China, which like Russia wields a U.N. Security Council veto and maintains robust economic ties with Iran, was far more muted, suggesting a tough road ahead for the Obama administration and Western allies seeking to put pressure on Tehran.

Iran's constitutional watchdog received approval Tuesday to extend its examination of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed reelection victory beyond today's deadline to Monday, state television reported.