Iran's supreme leader is to address the nation for the first time since disputed election results sparked huge protests in the capital, Tehran.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who backs the re-election of President Ahmadinejad, is due to speak at Friday prayers.
The authorities have been laying on bus services and urging people to come to hear Mr Khamenei speak.
Correspondents say the amount of people the ayatollah can rally will be as closely watched as what he says.
The ayatollah's address follows days of rallies by backers of presidential rival Mir Hossein Mousavi, who believe the vote was fixed.
Unfettered power
The rallying cry of the protesters has been "death to the dictator", and the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran says the chant is surely directed at Ayatollah Khamenei.
Whether the protesters understand it or not, our correspondent says, they are implicitly challenging the whole system.
The ayatollah will deliver a sermon at the University of Tehran - scene of several clashes between police and students in recent days.
Under the republic's constitution, the supreme leader has unfettered power to run the country and shape policy.
Government clampdown
Hundreds of thousands of Mr Mousavi's supporters have taken to the streets this week in several mass rallies - the biggest protests in the Islamic republic's 30-year history.
They believe Mr Ahmadinejad stole the election.
Eight people were killed in a rally earlier this week when the protesters surrounding a compound occupied by a militia that backs the government.
And the unrest has spurred the authorities to clamp down on dissent by blocking websites, restricting journalists and arresting dozens - possibly hundreds - of activists they regard as opponents.
Mr Mousavi and two other candidates in the election have made more than 600 complaints to the Guardian Council - the main electoral authority.
The objections include a shortage of ballot papers, voters being pressurised to support a particular candidate and the barring of candidates' representatives from polling stations.
The council has invited the three to a meeting to discuss their objections on Saturday.
Mr Ahmadinejad defended his election win in a televised address on Thursday - which correspondents say is a sign he is taking the protesters more seriously.
"In this election, victory belonged to 70 million Iranians and the 40 million who took part in voting. Everyone is a winner," he said.
RE : BBC
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