Iran’s Guardian Council, the constitutional watchdog dominated by hardliners, on Monday confirmed Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad’s victory in the June 12 presidential election, a move that will enrage the reformist opposition and heighten tension.

As the widely expected result was announced the security forces, including members of basij militia, who have played a prominent role in the post-election violence, maintained a high profile on the streets of Tehran amid rumours of a possible opposition rally.