Iran has been simmering since demonstrations erupted after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, won the disputed presidential elections in June.

The pro-reformist opposition called the vote fraudulent, but Iran's government retorted that the opposition protesters were doing the bidding of western powers - especially the US, UK and Israel.

The regime's response has been criticised by both the EU and the US.

How far will the Iranian government go in dealing with this ongoing political crisis? And what role, if any, should the international community play?