**Iran’s opposition leaders are making a public appearance at Friday prayers for the first time since the disputed vote.**This comes amid warnings from the intelligence minister against turning the occasion into a protest and or “stage for undesirable scenes”.
Mir Hossein Mousavi, the defeated presidential candidate, is making his first official public appearance.
Former President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani also gives his first sermon since the post-election unrest.
Meanwhile, Iran has announced a new atomic chief following the resignation on Thursday of Gholam Reza Aghazadeh.
Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran’s former envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will take up the post, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government announced.
It is not immediately clear why Mr Aghazadeh, the long-serving head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, stood down from the job, but he is said to be close to Mr Mousavi.
‘Protecting rights’
Mir Hossein Mousavi said on his website on Wednesday that he would attend the Friday Prayers at Tehran University - a weekly event that is attended by thousands and broadcast live to the nation.
Iranian nuclear chief steps down
His fellow pro-reform presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi is also expected to attend.
It is also the first time in two months since Mr Rafsanjani has led the prayers.
Mr Rafsanjani is a dominant force in Iranian politics and a rival of President Ahmadinejad.
Although he did not voice his opinion during the unrest that followed the election, members of his family - including his daughter Faezeh - openly supported Mr Mousavi.
This could be a key moment in the confrontation between President Ahmadinejad’s government and members of the opposition, BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says.
They are waiting to hear from Mr Rafsanjani, but no-one knows whether he will support the opposition or offer a compromise, our correspondent says.
Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi on Thursday urged the “wise Iranian people” to be “vigilant that the Friday prayers not be turned into a stage for undesirable scenes”.
Violent street protests broke out in Iran amid accusations of fraud after President Ahmadinejad was re-elected in the 12 June election.
At least 20 people died and hundreds were arrested in the days that followed the poll.
The country’s most senior political figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, upheld Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s landslide victory and demanded an end to protest.
Despite this, Mr Mousavi has remained defiant - demanding a re-run of the vote and describing the new government as illegitimate.
Announcing his decision to attend Friday prayers, Mr Mousavi said on his website, “I feel obliged to respond to the call of companions on the path to protecting rights to a noble and free life”.