JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: In Iran, hardliners are continuing their crackdown on the news media, with 16 newspapers shutdown now. CNN's State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel has reaction from Washington.</s>ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In cities across Iran this week, thousands of frustrated college students held peaceful protests, a strong signal to Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, they oppose the conservative crackdown. The Ayatollah target, the reform movement. In recent , he's overturned election results favoring Reform candidates, forced over a dozen pro- reform newspapers to shut down, and ordered the arrests of prominent editors and journalist.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Without these newspapers, you really lose any voice for the reformist movement, and it makes it very difficult for candidates in the second round of parliamentary elections to get their message across.</s>KOPPEL: In the first round in February, millions of Iranians shocked entrenched hardliners and voted instead for the reform agenda of President Khatemi. Now with the second round set for next week, the United States is wondering whether its recent attempts to reach out to reformers will be overshadowed by hardline intimidation.</s>MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, U.S. SECY. OF STATE: We clearly are very concerned about what is happening there now, and would hope that this is not the overwhelming trend.</s>KOPPEL: U.S. officials worry a prolonged campaign by conservatives could spark a repeat of last summer's violent student demonstrations. At the moment however, the protests are restrained. The questions, say U.S. officials, is how much backbone the reform movement has to weather this political storm. (on camera): Following the May election, the next test, whether conservative clerics will allow a mostly reform parliament to begin work in June? A key indicator, say U.S. officials, which direction the winds have changed in Iran are blowing. Andrea Koppel, CNN, the State Department.
Iran Hardliners Continuing Crackdown on News Media