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IRANS GUARDIAN Council, the country’s top legislative body, pronounced yesterday that it had found no major violations in the June 12th presidential election. Its spokesman described the election as the “healthiest” vote since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Unconvinced, opposition activists released thousands of balloons commemorating the death of Neda Soltan whose shooting last week has become a focal point for much protest activity.

But, in truth, it is a week since crowds came on to the streets in large numbers – the regime’s crackdown appears to be working, the overt protest movement ebbing. And Iran’s increasingly isolated losing candidate, Mir Hussein Mousavi, yesterday signalled a backing away from confrontation over the disputed elections, promising he will seek approval for future protests, even as he complained of unfair restrictions.