Anti-government protesters in Tehran face police crackdown

Police fired tear gas and paintballs at protesters declaring their support for recent Arab uprisings in central Tehran on Monday. The security forces moved in when the demonstrators began chanting anti-government slogans, leading to clashes that left one person dead and several injured.

Reuters/Thomas Peter

"In the events yesterday, some rioters were arrested and unfortunately Monafeghin elements fired shots at people and security forces," said Iranian deputy police chief Ahmad Reza Radan, referring to the outlawed People's Mujahedeen of Iran.

"In these shootings, nine security force members and some others were injured."

An Iranian news agency had earlier reported a bystander had died in the clashes.

The rally was planned by opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.

Mousavi’s website Kaleme.com said that according to "unconfirmed reports, hundreds of protesters were arrested in Tehran".

Crowds gathered in Azadi (Freedom) Square began chanting "Death to dictator”, a slogan used in protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the disputed 2009 presidential election.

Opposition website Rahesabz.net said clashes were also reported Monday near Tehran University and on the road connecting Azadi Square with Enghelab Square.

It reported that police fired tear gas when protesters chanted "Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein", which was used by protesters in support of Mousavi in 2009.

Iranian authorities had earlier surrounded Mousavi’s home, to prevent him from attending the rally.

Karroubi has also been under de facto house arrest, according to his website Sahamnews.org.

Mobile phone services were cut and there were power blackouts in areas where the protests were taking place, according to witnesses.

Radan said the gatherings were directed by the United States, Britain and Israel.

These were the first anti-government protests in Tehran since 11 February 2010, when activists took marked the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

Iran has backed popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, but the Interior Ministry in banned Monday’s rallies and deployed riot police in the capital.