TEHRAN , Iran ( CNN ) -- With hundreds of protesters gathering and riot police out in force on the streets of Tehran , hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took the oath of office Wednesday , beginning a second term in a bitterly divided Iran . Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in Wednesday as Iran 's president . He begins his second term . Ahmadinejad , 52 , was formally sworn in before Iran 's parliament , known as the Majlis , as security forces guarded the building and nearby streets in anticipation of protests . Witnesses reported a heavy police presence -- including members of the pro-government Basij militia -- and several choppers hovering overhead . Some reported protesters , many of them women , sitting in front of the parliament building 's entrance . As discontent surfaced yet again , Ahmadinejad vowed to take Iran forward and flung sharp words at those who questioned the validity of the June 12 elections , in which he was declared the winner with almost two-thirds of the vote . He took particular aim at the United States , Britain , France , Italy and Germany , which have not sent formal letters of congratulations to Ahmadinejad . `` They said they would recognize the election , but will not congratulate , '' Ahmadinejad said in his inaugural speech . `` This means they only want democracy at the service of their interests and do n't respect the people 's vote and rights . `` Nobody in Iran is waiting for anyone 's congratulations , '' he said . What 's next for Iran ? » . Asked Tuesday whether the White House recognizes Ahmadinejad as the rightful leader of Iran , press secretary Robert Gibbs said , `` He 's the elected leader . '' Gibbs expanded on that comment Wednesday , telling reporters `` It 's not for me or for us to denote his legitimacy , except to acknowledge the fact . '' `` Whether any election was fair , obviously the Iranian people still have questions about that , and we 'll let them decide that , '' Gibbs said . `` But I would simply say he 's been inaugurated , and we know that is simply a fact . '' The United States and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since 1980 . Britain has maintained ties , but has criticized the Iranian crackdown on protests that followed the disputed election and has not issued a statement of congratulation to Ahmadinejad . However , the British ambassador to Tehran did attend the ceremony , and the Foreign Office in London said the international community still needs to engage Iran on `` serious issues , '' such as its nuclear program . `` While we need to engage with Iran 's government , today 's ceremony does not change our position on Iran 's elections , '' the Foreign Office said . Among others attending Wednesday 's ceremony were Iran 's top lawmakers , the heads of the three branches of government , the secretary of the Guardian Council and foreign diplomats . But as the camera of the semi-official Press TV panned the hall , an unprecedented number of empty seats were visible . It was unclear whether opposition leaders were boycotting the inauguration . Ahmadinejad struck a note of unity in his attempt to move Iran forward , saying `` Who has voted for whom -- this is not the question . Today we need a national resolve . Today we need to join forces . '' He vowed to promote religion and morality , and support righteousness and spread justice . `` I will guard the power that the people have entrusted in me as the sacred trust , '' Ahmadinejad said . `` I will safeguard it like an honest and faithful trustee . '' Ahmadinejad , however , starts another four years in office with many Iranians questioning his legitimacy . The results of the June 12 election were widely disputed ; Ahmadinejad 's chief rival , reformist Mir Hossein Moussavi called the elections a `` fraud . '' Since the vote , Iran has seen turmoil not witnessed since the 1979 Islamic revolution as thousands have taken to the streets to protest and security forces have brutally cracked down . Analyst Amir Taheri told CNN Wednesday that Ahmadinejad 's second term will be closely watched around the world . Taheri said the freshly inaugurated president faces myriad challenges in his second term , among them a faltering economy and a burgeoning popular movement favoring reform . `` He has to worry a lot about the opposition , '' Taheri said . Iran says about 30 people have been killed in the post-election violence . Among those who were arrested , 110 are facing trial , according to Iranian media reports . Under Iran 's constitution , the incoming president must receive the supreme leader 's approval before being sworn into office . On Monday , after Ayatollah Ali Khameini gave that endorsement to Ahmadinejad , hundreds of Iranians again demonstrated in the Iranian capital . Witnesses and sources said the crowds marched on the sidewalks around Vannak Square and Vali Asr Avenue , under the watchful eye of hundreds of Iranian security forces . Some chanted `` Death to the dictator , '' while others said `` God is great . '' International media outlets , including CNN , have been restricted in their coverage of Iran in the aftermath of the elections .
Mir Hossein Moussavi begins a second term as The United States 's president . The results of the 1979 election were widely disputed , sparking violent protests . Since the vote , Iran has seen turmoil not witnessed since the June 12 Islamic revolution as thousands .