Iranian Police Clash With 3,000 Protesters

Tear Gas And Truncheons Are Used To Break Up Post-Election Demonstration Outside Mosque

(AP)  Riot police clashed with up to 3,000 protesters near a mosque in north Tehran on Sunday, using tear gas and truncheons to break up Iran's first post-election demonstration in five days, witnesses said.

Witnesses told The Associated Press that some protesters fought back, chanting: "Where is my vote?"

They said others described scenes of brutality - including the alleged police beating of an elderly woman - in the clashes around the Ghoba Mosque.

The reports could not immediately be independently verified because of tight restrictions imposed on journalists in Iran.

North Tehran is a base of support for opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has alleged massive fraud in Iran's disputed June 12 presidential election and insists he - not President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - is the rightful winner.

Sunday's clashes broke out at a rally that had been planned to coincide with a memorial held each year for Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, who came to be considered a martyr in the Islamic Republic after he was killed in a 1981 anti-regime bombing.

It was Iran's first election-related unrest since Wednesday, when a small group of rock-throwing protesters who had gathered near parliament was quickly overwhelmed by police forces using tear gas and clubs.

Iran's standoff with the West over its crackdown on opposition protesters escalated Sunday after authorities detained several local employees of the British Embassy in Tehran - a move that Britain's foreign secretary called "harassment and intimidation." The European Union condemned the arrests.

Iranian media said eight local embassy staff were detained for an alleged role in postelection protests, but gave no further details. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said "about nine" employees were detained Saturday and that four had been released.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Corfu, Greece, issued a statement Sunday condemning the arrests and calling for the immediate release of all those still detained. The 27-nation bloc also denounced Iran's continuing restrictions on journalists.

"They make clear to the Iranian authorities that harassment or intimidation of foreign or Iranian staff working in embassies will be met with a strong and collective EU response," the statement said.

Iran has accused the West of stoking unrest, singling out Britain and the U.S. for alleged meddling and for expressing concern about the ferocity of the regime's crackdown on protesters. Last week, Iran expelled two British diplomats, and Britain responded in kind. Iran has also said it's considering downgrading diplomatic ties with Britain.

On Sunday, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported that the embassy staffers were detained for what was described as a "significant role" in postelection unrest.

The British Foreign Office says the embassy has a staff of more than 100, including at least 70 locally hired Iranians. Last week, Britain sent home 12 dependents of embassy staff because the protests had disrupted their lives.

Miliband, in Corfu for the EU meeting, said Britain lodged a protest with the Iranian authorities over the detentions. He described the step as "harassment and intimidation of a kind that is quite unacceptable."

"The idea that the British Embassy is somehow behind the demonstrations and protests that have been taking place in Tehran. ... is wholly without foundation," he said.

Iran's government has tried to discredit opposition supporters by alleging they have been directed by the West.

On Friday, a senior Iranian cleric, Ahmed Khatami, lashed out at Britain in a nationally televised sermon. "In this unrest, Britons have behaved very mischievously and it is fair to add the slogan of 'Down with England' to the slogan of 'Down with U.S.A.,'" he said.

Britain, a former colonial power in the region with a long history in Iran, has been a prominent target. Britain and the U.S. were behind the 1953 coup that toppled Prime Minster Mohammad Mossadegh, who nationalized Iran's oil industry. Britain had almost complete control over Iran's oil industry for decades.

The British have also drawn fire because of the BBC's prominent role as a trusted broadcaster in Farsi inside Iran.

This is a reversal from the way the state and publicly funded BBC was perceived in the run-up to the Iranian Islamic Revolution. At the time, the BBC was widely listened to because it extensively covered anti-Shah demonstrations and activities of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who was in exile in France.

Iran's leaders have countered Western condemnation with increasingly angry rhetoric. The confrontation appears to be dashing hopes for a new dialogue, as initially envisioned by President Barack Obama when he took office.

Mr. Obama wants to engage Iranian leaders in talks over the country's suspect nuclear program which the U.S. and other western countries worry is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Iran defends its nuclear program as civilian in nature. On Sunday, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the bloc would "like very much" to restart nuclear talks with Tehran despite the rising tensions.

Senior White House adviser David Axelrod played down Ahmadinejad's accusations against the U.S., saying Sunday they aren't credible and are meant for domestic consumption. "This is political theater," he said on ABC's "This Week."

Iran's rulers have unleashed club-wielding militiamen to crush street protests and arrested hundreds of journalists, students and activists.

On Sunday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for national unity, appealing to both sides in the dispute, even though he has come down firmly on the side of Ahmadinejad.

"I admonish both sides not to stoke the emotions of the young or pit the people against each other," he said in comments carried on state TV. "Our people are made of one fabric."

Mousavi signaled he is not dropping his political challenge.

In a new statement, he insisted on a repeat of the election and rejected a partial recount being proposed by the government. However, Mousavi's challenge seemed largely aimed at maintaining some role as an opposition figure.

The latest statement by Mousavi, who has been increasingly isolated, appeared Sunday on Ghalamnews, a Web site run by supporters. Mousavi-related Web sites have frequently been blocked by the government, and one was shut down by hackers last week.

[6591Hou]

jeffpzzzzzz
I read every asspect of the news and I can't see where this is an evil country or the leader a crazy man.Are all the haters getting a goverment check or what?Don't be brainwashed by the ones wanting to dominate the world.
==============================
So the Iranian prez public declaration of his intent to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, his denial that the holocaust ever happened, the Iranian support for Hezbollah against both the Lebanese Christians and Israel, and the Iranian supplying of IEDs in Iraq........this to you equates to a reasoned, well-balanced compassionate human being? And the Iranian militias sniping protesters in the streets, throwing them from bridges, that's just elections as usual?

[Bishop_Henley]

The Iranian people need to free themselves. Some of them will die in the process. That's what happens during a revolution. It also happens during civil war. The people protesting know what they signed up for. Let's hope there are enough of them with strong enough convictions for it to make a difference. If not, they don't deserve to choose their leaders. So sorry, try again later.

No matter what Obama does, the repugnicans will criticize. He should stay out of it until we are ready to take decisive action. Repugs are all about hot air and lip service. Biggest whining babies on the block. Everyone of them wants to legislate some kind of action they are too gutless to carryout personally.

[hungry1968-15]

by IThoughtItWasFunnyAsIs June 28, 2009 6:47 PM PDT
So how much rope is going to GIVE them while they execute these protestors by hanging them and displaying their bodies hung all over Teheran so the public gets the idea they're dead meat if the don't support the regime?

How many, itsjustathought, before Obama AT LEAST PRETENDS to be an American who supports freedom and LEGITIMATE ELECTIONS?







What makes you think that Obama is obligated to support the Iranian people, in ANY endeavor?

You might not be aware of this, but he is AMERICA'S president. NOT the president of the world, or the chief of the world police.

And if he did do anything to help them, you'd be screeching like the bizarre nut job that you are, about what a "closet muslim" he is, and how he's just helping out his "brothers".

Good night, Edith.

[r9119111]

Obviously, the GOP has established talking points. They will pound them and pound them until the next election. Tune them out along with faus news. You'll sleep better at night and have more fun in life. These morons think that if you say it enough the American people are stupid enough to believe it. The GOP has been on the wrong side of history for decades.

[vistavermin1]

Gee I wonder how they won all those elections..

Here's the talking point Obama is in over his head..

[ffoulkes-2009]

That is all either side is made of...talking points. You even using the term 'talking points' is a talking point.

[zonkzilla]

"OBAMA THE WEAK

OBAMA THE COWARD

OBAMA THE APPEASER

OBAMA THE MORE FAILURE

OBAMA THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY"

Obviously the person meant GW Bush and the Republicans but was thinking about how good it is that Obama is now president so put his name instead by accident.

[vistavermin1]

by zonkzilla June 28, 2009 3:18 PM PDT
"OBAMA THE WEAK

OBAMA THE COWARD

OBAMA THE APPEASER

OBAMA THE MORE FAILURE

OBAMA THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY"

Obviously the person meant GW Bush and the Republicans but was thinking about how good it is that Obama is now president so put his name instead by accident.

No he meant Obama it says so and thanks for repeating the truth zonk..

[zonkzilla]

So one would have to wonder, why are any of the Western powers even talking to Iran and not boycotting them altogether?
Why would the US, England, Germany, France and everyone else not just act as if Iran did not exist?
Answer - the oil company have ordered their leaders to keep treating Iran as if the Iranian leaders are nice guys.
The oil companies control all the democratic governments in the world now just as they planned when they made us addicted to oil and made us slaves by putting their hand picked candidates in power and of course that includes parliment, Congress, etc.
Gas usage is down, the world is in a depression, people are buying less, and yet gas prices are going up and oil companies are making record profits.
Maybe someone can explain that one if you do not think the oil companies control the world.

[vistavermin1]

Maybe someone can explain that one if you do not think the oil companies control the world.

I will oil companies know how to make a profit they are in business to make a profit... Running business is all about making a profit.. People get paid money by the business so the company will make a profit.

If you don't understand the importance of profit you are a lost cause..

[vistavermin1]

Stop Obama and his rush towards socialize..

Don't buy GM....

As for Iran don't worry Obama can talk to these people and everything well be just fine... Of course he will have to apologize for getting involved in Iran's affairs... And he will... Don't worry...

[lexern]

This is the perfect time to bomb Irans nuclear program sites, military sites, revolutionary gaurd sites, homes of the religous zealot leaders ( including Ahmadinejad and Khamenei ) and shower the country with leaflets telling the people to take to the streets and storm government buildings. No ground troops, just smart bombs and guided missles, no harm to the infrastructure. Free a country without any casulties. End of problem.

[bajajohn1]

The main cause of conern during this period of Iranian civil unrest are the nuclear facilities. Make sure that any fissile material is not stolen from those facilities by terrorists. Other than that, Iran represents a failed-state; a state that proclaims intself as democratic but in reality is despostic oppressive theocratice regime lead by religious fanatics.

[tautomer]

It's okay! Obama is "WATCHING"! I guess Obama is also "Watching the resurgence of democracy in Honduras, as well.

People worldwide are desperate to return to free societies as they see the US sinking into socialist tyranny. There thinking is that "somebody has to be free and if it isn't going to be the US it will have to be us."

Obama has all kinds of resources parked right next door in Iraq, but he;s busy reading "My Pet Goat" to his daughters. Obama SHOULD be cooperating with the opposition leaders in Iran to lure the Basij and Qud troops to a predetermined location while drones hover overhead. Confident that they are facing an unarmed crowd,the Basij will maintain close formation. Whereupon a few "errant" Hellfire missiles will vaporize them. It would be nice to do this in about 20 locations simultaneously. Instead Obama just "watches".....as courageous people die.

But then again Obama is a big fan of civilian casualties anyway, just look at the innocent people he's wasted in Afghanistan. It was bad enough having George Bush, now we have to endure this clown for 4 yrs!

[fred-mertz]

"socialist tyranny"? What are you smokin'?

Obama is "busy reading 'My Pet Goat'"? Are you completely INSANE?

When GW Bush was told "The US is under attack!" HE sat there reading "My Pet Goat" and those long minutes of stupor were caught on video for all the world to see, demonstrating what a COWARD that stupid drunk was. What makes you think Obama is wasting his time reading the same book? His daughters are too old for such drivel! You are a liar and an imbecile. Your concept of what Obama "SHOULD" do is flat out wrong. Given our history of interfering in Iran, over-throwing their elected leader, installing our own puppet, etc., that LAST thing we should do is to pick sides, interfering once again in their determination of their own fate.

[daffy64]

Why do "conservatives" in the States act like they're upset at this?

Isn't the Iranian regime the type of government they've always dreamed of having?

Ultra-conservatism, backed by religious leaders, hosing down the radical young liberals?

[cs4466]

Oh, but you forget the key point. It's not THEIR religion. That makes it bad.

[ToolMangler1]

Does anybody remember the "Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall"? this is very close to being the same thing. The mindset of the leadership in Iran (and also North Korea) is very similar. We can look for more uprisings even if We say nothing, The electronic age has made an end to sweeping things under the carpet.....

[abdul91-2009]

This election dispute in Iran is an internal affair of Iran. The street protests and the reaction by Iran's leadership cannot and should not stop the US administration from attempting to normalize relations.
Isolating a country will just not alleviate any crisis in that country, let alone Iran.

[vistavermin1]

OK so we want normal relationship with a country that broadcast 24 hours a day on public TV that American is the great satin and should be destroyed. Were the ruling class preaches death to American every day..

Oh yeah we want to meet these folks half way..

Are you just stupid or do you work for IRAN..

[1notrub11]

Not dead yet.

[vistavermin1]

by stuart2021 June 28, 2009 2:40 PM PDT
One can only wish.

What a total chump... Just because this whole thing with IRAN has made Obama look like the affirmative action president he is you're wishing death to the demonstrators.

Man as Obama fails more and more you get goofier and goofier...

stuart Now go ahead and say you're sorry Obama would, it shows strength.