Opposition leader, in strongest criticism yet, says cult is ruling Iran through dictatorship

Opposition leader: A cult ruling Iran

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s opposition leader says a dictatorial cult is ruling Iran in the name of Islam.

The criticism was the strongest yet by Mir Hossein Mousavi.

In comments posted on his Web site Saturday, Mousavi says his movement’s strategy is to effect reform by raising the consciousness of the Iranian people.

But he acknowledges that the government’s bloodly crackdown has made it impossible for the opposition to publicly engage in political activities.

Two days ago, Iran’s supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the opposition has lost its credibility and its right to participate in politics by not accepting the results of June presidential elections.

The opposition alleges President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the vote through massive fraud and that Mousavi won.