Toronto (ECN) - Iran is experiencing its most violent protests since the Iranian Revolution more than 30 years ago, as crowds gathered to voice their disapproval of perceived election irregularities. Mir Hossein Mousavi, a moderate candidate and the principal opposition to President Ahmadinejad, is calling for a run-off in the presidential election. At least eight people have died in street clashes between protestors and the police force. Iranian state media have clamped down on reporting the incidents, and have released their own version of events, claiming "thugs" attacked a military post and attempted to vandalize public property.

Opposition leaders to Iran's sitting President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have called for an annulment of the election, citing election fraud and intimidation, with millions of ballots claimed to be missing. Iran's Supreme Leader, the Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered an inquiry into the allegations of vote rigging. His handpicked Guardian Council, the countries top legislative body, have stopped short of declaring the elections invalid, and have promised to recount votes in contested areas.

Iran's election results have received widespread criticism from the western media and politicians. Many EU foreign ministers have called for an inquiry into the conduct of the election, and President Barack Obama said he was "deeply troubled" by the violent manner in which the protests have been handled. Iranian expatriates living in Australia have expressed concern for what they perceive to be a hijacking of the election by hard-line conservatives.