A Twitter Timeline of the Iran Election

The disputed June 12 Iran presidential election and the ensuing chaos were noteworthy not only for the swiftness with which the government cracked down on protesters but also for the role social media sites helped play in disseminating critical images and news. This was especially true after foreign journalists were essentially barred from reporting. Twitter, in particular, played a key role, allowing opposition supporters to communicate and organize protests, as well as to pass on information about what was happening on the ground to one another and the outside world. Below, we offer a rough timeline of events since the June 12 election, along with a daily sampling of tweets about events in Iran. (Note: Though we've made every effort to select tweets from informed posters, we have not been able to confirm the accuracy of the information contained in the posts. All times are ET, except where noted.)

Friday, June 12
On election day, long lines and 85 percent voter turnout spurs authorities to extend voting by six hours. Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi claims victory.

Whatever happens today, Iran can never go back. You can't put this genie back in the bottle. #iranelections June 12, 2009 11:23 p.m. GMT (oxfordgirl)

I really believe we are heading for round 2 between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi #iranelections June 12, 2009 10:24 p.m. GMT (oxfordgirl)

Mousavi has called emergency press conference to dispute IRNA claims of Ahmadinejad victory. 11 p.m.: Africa Street/Taheri; No. 76, Suite #1 2:50 p.m. June 12 (TehranBureau)

Saturday, June 13
With 80 percent of the ballots counted, Iran's election commission declares Ahmadinejad the clear winner, 63.8 percent of the vote to Mousavi's 32.7 percent. As Ahmadinejad supporters take to the streets in celebration, so do thousands of protesters, clashing with police.

Ahmadinejad & his supporters will celebrate their victory today at 5pm local time in Valiasr square & we will try to ruin his party! 9:07 p.m. June 13 (Change_for_Iran)

ALL internet & mobile networks are cut. We ask everyone in Tehran to go onto their rooftops and shout ALAHO AKBAR in protest #IranElection 2:44 p.m. June 13 (mousavi1388)

Sunday, June 14
Despite government insistence that the election was fair, protests become increasingly violent. Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad calls the election "real and free" and compares protesters to soccer hooligans.

tear gas #iranelection 11:31 p.m. June 13 (Change_for_Iran)

Students & people fighting back a large group of police & Basij right now at university of physics! I'm going to join them. #iranelection 11:34 a.m. June 14 (Change_for_Iran)

Ahmadinejad is holding "Thank You Ceremonies"!!! all over the country, they are giving away ice cream and cakes... 2:03 p.m. June 14 (TehranBureau)

Monday, June 15
In Tehran, hundreds of thousands of people protest. Government security personnel (Basij) shoot into the crowd; state media later report seven people were killed in clashes. Protests spread outside the capital, with violence between supporters of the reformist Mousavi and police reported. In response to requests from the U.S. State Department, Twitter decides to suspend its scheduled maintenance, which would have interrupted the service for 90 minutes.

2am and people still on roof shouting death to khamenaie. a week ago that was unthinkable. people very fed up. want freedom. #Iranelection 4:37 p.m. June 14 (persiankiwi)

I am not sure if students killed in tehran uni dorm. unconfirmed that there was shooting heard were attacked in streets by mob on motorbikes with batons - firing guns into air - streetfires all over town - roads closed; #Iranelection 2:32 p.m. June 15 (persiankiwi)