Tehran - A new challenge to President Mohammed Khatami's reforming government has emerged in the wake of demonstrations at the weekend in central Tehran, where thousands of disgruntled poor joined university students in a bloody battle with Islamic extremists.
The spontaneous coalition on Saturday night of students and ordinary Iranians demanding improved social conditions may mark a turning point in the struggle to redefine the Islamic republic.
A year ago, it was primarily students who demanded more freedom and political reform, as they fought on the nation's campuses and city streets. Now, the call for profound change is coming from mainstream society.
Iran's supreme leader, the conservative Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, summoned President Khatami and senior government officials to his residence yesterday to discuss the crisis. State radio said the ayatollah blamed the demonstration on foreign "enemies". President Khatami flies to Berlin today, in the first visit to Germany by an Iranian leader since 1967. As well as leaving unrest behind at home, he is expected to face more protests in Germany from as many as 25,000 members of emigre groups who have been exiled from Iran.