Video: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei backs Ahmadinejad against protestors

Civil War ?

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has demanded an end to street protests over Iran's disputed presidential election. He has come down firmly on the side of Ahmadinejad. He sounds like a man out of touch with the reality on the ground. He warned

"If there is any bloodshed, leaders of the protests will be held directly responsible,"

His speech offers little hope for an immediate resolution of the dispute. He has seriously misread the mood on the ground. The pro Mousavi supporters are unlikely to be mollified by lectures. There is now grave danger that Iran could plunge into a civil war which will benefit neither Iranians nor the world.