Iran's leader warns of bloody crackdown: Via TheStar.com / Toronto Star.

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's supreme leader sought today to end the deepening crisis over disputed elections with one decisive speech – declaring the vote will almost certainly stand and sternly warning opposition leaders to end street protests or be held responsible for any "bloodshed and chaos" to come.

But a first sign of possible resistance came shortly after nightfall in Tehran. Cries of "Death to the dictator!" and ``Allahu akbar" – "God is great" – rang from rooftops in what's become a nightly ritual of opposition unity.

The sharp line drawn by Iran's most powerful figure, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a gambit that pushes Iran's opposition to a pivotal moment: either back down or risk a crushing response from police and the forces at Khamenei's disposal – the powerful Revolutionary Guard and their volunteer citizen militia, the Basiji.

It also presents important tests for opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.
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