Iran Shows no Signs of Improvement

  Iranian police warned the opposition Monday not to hold protests this week that would coincide with annual state-sponsored demonstrations against the United States.

Photo: Iran Shows no Signs of Improvement

  The warning comes days after two opposition leaders suggested they will call their supporters to the streets Wednesday, in what was seen as an attempt to reinvigorate their movement after a harsh crackdown killed dozens of protesters in postelection turmoil over the summer.

  Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by militant students following the Islamic Revolution — a day that typically draws thousands to the streets of Tehran.

   Thousands of people were arrested in a heavy crackdown this summer that crushed mass protests in support of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who claims the June 12 disputed presidential election was stolen through massive vote fraud. Dozens were killed in the crackdown.

   It was the country's worst unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

  On Monday, authorities also closed down a business newspaper known for criticizing the government. The Sarmayeh newspaper was known for carrying articles critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's economic policies, which they say have impoverished the country.

  Since 2000 more than 100 newspapers and periodicals were banned in Iran, mostly on security charges.

  Also Monday, state television reported that the Iranian intelligence service arrested five "terrorist" suspects who allegedly planned to assassinate an official and confiscated weapons belonging to the group.

   Despite all these weak attampts to stabilize the  situation in Iran there are no real signs that it could be better in near future, according to  the Associated Press' report.