Protesters, Police Clash In Tehran On Anniversary Of U.S. Embassy Takeover

As Iran held anti-U.S. rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, security forces clashed in the capital with opposition supporters who renewed their protest against the reelection of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

The opposition demonstrators were defying Iranian officials' orders not to use the day to stage antigovernment protests.

Tensions have been running high since Ahmadinejad was named the winner of the June 12 presidential vote, a decision the opposition believes was the result of fraud. Authorities cracked down violently on the mass protests, which marked the country's biggest political crisis since the 1979 revolution.

At the November 4 protest in Tehran, witnesses said police forces used teargas to disperse hundreds of protesters who were chanting "Death to the Dictator."

On condition of anonymity, a woman in Tehran who participated in the protest told RFE/RL about the clashes between protesters and Basij forces.

"People were throwing stones, they used teargas and pepper gas against people,” she said. “The number of people who were injured is high. I don't know if anybody died, but [Basij forces] were hitting people with batons. I was hit on the head. They don't care if you're young or old. They're beating everyone."

In the crowd was cleric Mehdi Karrubi, an opposition leader who was a candidate in the June 12 election. Karrubi attempted to reach Hafte Tir square but was prevented from doing so by security forces. (Click for YouTube video.)

Karrubi's son, Mohammad Taghi Karrubi, told Radio Farda that two of the opposition leader's bodyguards and a number of his supporters were injured. "The police forces shot tear gas directly toward Karrubi and his supporters. It resulted in the injury of two of the guards, who were transferred to the hospital," he said.

Mohammad Taghi Karrubi added that officials advised his father not to take part in the demonstration because of the possibility that those opposed to the establishment could stage a "suicide attack." Discounting the official line, he said that Karrubi's camp considers the violence used against the opposition leader's entourage as a "terror attempt" conducted by government forces.

Reports say opposition members staged brief protests on small streets and street corners while chanting slogans in support of opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi, who officially finished second to Ahmadinejad in the election, and who has called on his supporters to continue their opposition to the result.

Many also chanted "Allah Akbar," which has become one of the signature chants of the opposition Green movement that emerged united after the June vote.

Anti-Russian, Anti-U.S.

Meanwhile, thousands of government supporters carried anti-U.S. banners as they marched in the capital near the former U.S. Embassy, which Iranian officials refer to as "the nest of spies."

In another neighborhood, opposition protesters chanted slogans against Russia, which they criticize for backing Ahmadinejad's reelection. The protesters called the Russian Embassy a “nest of spies” as well. (Click for YouTube video.)

Many opposition members also called on called on U.S. President Barack Obama to clearly express his support for them, chanting "Obama, Obama, either with us, or with them!”



The last time the opposition launched mass street demonstration was in September amid official celebrations of Quds Day. Tens of thousands of supporters of Musavi and Karrubi used the occasion to demonstrate in the streets of Tehran and other cities including Shiraz and Rasht.

In recent weeks, students at universities in Tehran, Ahwaz, Mazandaran, and other cities have held antigovernment protests. On November 4, students reportedly protested at the Shiraz University campus.

Radio Farda broadcasters Hannah Kaviani, Roya Karim, and Mohammad Zarghami contributed to this report.