Calm returns to the streets but anger seethes deep within

Tehran: The young men and women enter Haft Tir Square tentatively. Their pace slows as they discretely glance around. They spot the club-wielding uniformed security officials and plainclothes Basiji militiamen, scan the square for other would-be demonstrators.

"Their legitimacy has been damaged," said Hamad, a 26-year-old business student among those navigating the square, cautiously examining eyes and dress. "The atrocity and cheating will linger in the collective memory. And someday an eruption will occur."

Perhaps the anger will reignite on July 9, the 10th anniversary of a 1999 student uprising that heralded a campaign to crush reformist aspirations. Or the match may be lit the next time authorities roll out the Guidance Patrol, which stops women on the street for allowing too much hair to peep out from under their head scarves.

People caught up in the so-called 'green wave' built on the presidential campaign of Mir Hussain Mousavi are trying to understand what has happened to their country in the short space of a month.

"At the beginning, during the campaign it was promising," said Davoud Hermidas-Bavand, a Tehran political scientist. "Mr Mousavi was not important, but the turnout for him was important. The results of the election were shocking, and the youth became disappointed."

"The wound they have caused in the souls of people will remain," said Amir, a 26-year-old shopkeeper and engineering student. "Regarding the protests, I think they are over until further notice. When they will ignite again, I do not know. But it will happen."