Iran Cops Clash with Opposition Protesters

Reports in Tehran of Security Forces Using Batons to Disperse Counter-Protesters During Anti-U.S. Rallies

(CBS/AP)  Updated at 10:28 a.m. Eastern.

Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons Wednesday on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover. The counter-demonstrations were the opposition's first major show of force on Tehran's streets in nearly two months.

The opposition sought to display unity and resolve after relentless crackdowns on their protests following the disputed June presidential election. Though the crowds were far smaller than during last summer's outrage, authorities were ready with the same sweeping measures: dispatching paramilitary units to key locations and disrupting mobile phones, text messaging and Internet access to frustrate protest organizers.

The contrasts in the latest protest wave were stark: people chanting "Death to America" outside the former U.S. Embassy while hundreds of opposition marchers in central Haft-e-Tir Square denounced President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with cries of "Death to the Dictator."

Other opposition protesters marched silently and flashed the V-for-victory sign. Many wore green scarves or wristbands that symbolized the campaign of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who claims Ahmadinejad stole the election from him through fraud. Mousavi and his allies, including former President Mohammad Khatami, appeared to encourage opposition protesters to return to the streets.

One eyewitness told CBS News via telephone from Tehran that he had watched multiple groups of opposition supporters - less than 100 in each - gather in Haft-e-Tir Square.

"The opposition supporters where chanting anti-government slogans. As security forces neared them they dispersed but there were some small clashes. I saw at least two tear gas volleys fired at the demonstrators," said the witness, who asked not to be identified.

"The atmosphere is very tense, but there are too many security forces, both in uniform and Basiji," the witness said, referring to Iran's paramilitary force blamed for much of the post-election violence during the summer. "The security presence is very heavy."

Witnesses told The Associated Press that security forces - mainly paramilitary units and militiamen from the elite Revolutionary Guard - swept through the hundreds of demonstrators at Haft-e-Tir Square, clubbing, kicking and slapping protesters. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from authorities.

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Pro-reform Web sites said police fired into the air to try to clear the square - about half a mile from the annual anti-American gathering outside the former U.S. Embassy. The report could not immediately be independently verified.

The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported police also used tear gas to disperse protesters in other parts of the city. There was no independent information on injuries or arrests, but state-run Press TV said no one was hurt.

A leading opposition figure, Mahdi Karroubi, fell to the ground after being overcome by tear gas, according to a posting by his son Hossein on Karroubi's Web site. His supporters carried him into his car, which plainclothes government supporters attacked as it drove away, the account said.

Karroubi did not need medical attention, his son said.

Other witnesses - also speaking on condition of anonymity - said about 2,000 students at Tehran University faced off against security forces, but there were no immediate reports of violence.

Videos and photos quickly appeared on social networking Web sites showing alleged images of the clashes. None of the online content could not be independently confirmed.

The opposition movement began as objection to Ahmadinejad's re-election, but it has expanded into a catchall movement for complaints that include the unlimited powers of the ruling clerics, Iran's sinking economy and its international isolation. Their tactics now appear to rely on pinpoint protest strikes to coincide with government-backed events, such as September's anti-Israel day.

The size and scope of Wednesday's protests were difficult to determine - possibly several thousand, according to witnesses. But the total is significantly smaller than the hundreds of thousands who streamed into the streets last summer during the worse domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Some opposition groups reported demonstrations in other cities such as Shiraz and Isfahan.

Media restrictions now limit journalists to covering state media and government-approved events, such as the rally outside the former embassy.

Authorities appeared determined to avoid opposition rallies overshadowing the anniversary of the embassy takeover. They had warned protesters days in advance against attempts to disrupt or overshadow the annual gathering outside the former embassy, which was stormed by militants in 1979 in the turbulent months after the Islamic Revolution.

Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days in a crisis that began a three-decade diplomatic freeze between the two nations.

Security forces fanned out around Tehran at daybreak on Wednesday after opposition leaders refused to call off their appeals for counter demonstrations.

Volunteer militiamen linked to the Revolutionary Guard patrolled the streets on motorcycles - a familiar sight during the summer unrest. Hours after the clashes, police helicopters passed low over Tehran's rooftops.

Outside the former U.S. Embassy, thousands of people waved anti-American banners and signs praising the Islamic Revolution.

The main speaker, hard-line lawmaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, denounced the United States as the main enemy of Iran. He did not mention the talks with the West, including the United States, on Iran's nuclear program.

But he labeled opposition leaders as dangerous for the country, saying they claim to support the ideals of the Islamic Revolution but aid Iran's perceived enemies.

In Washington, President Barack Obama noted the anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy and urged the two countries to move beyond the "path of sustained suspicion, mistrust and confrontation."

The hostage crisis "deeply affected the lives of courageous Americans who were unjustly held hostage, and we owe these Americans and their families our gratitude for their extraordinary service and sacrifice," Obama said in a statement.

[stevex47]

Thank goodness our forefathers had the wisdom to not allow our govermnents power to be driven by any religion.

[legacyABQ2]

I wonder what u.s. company designed programmed installed and trouble-shot the hi tech equipment to so quickly and precisely control the communication infrastructure.
Anyone know?

[jousterusa]

I'm shocked that your 6:30PM broadcast had video of the protestors chanting "Obama, Obama" in a plea for his help, and that you mentioned it on the air, yet you didn't bother to include that in your story above. Weren't you moved by their desperation and their hope for help? Or are your writers and editors just too sloppy to care?

[alphaa10000]

SNAGGED AGAIN, SORRY

("jousterusa" is a GOP poster, and whose "Shocked... shocked!" lines are as contrived as tea party slogans.)

Sorry, but there is no hard-wired interpretation of that protest slogan-- nor did protesters come forward with one.

Likewise, it is possible-- even probable-- Ahmadinejad organizers staged that group scene, because they wanted to portray protesters as agents of America.

It absurd to suggest Iranian protestors would invite that charge, themselves. They are well aware the Ahmadinejad junta seeks to portray them as unpatriotic.

And in a way, Ahmadinejad proves the point about extremist hatred of Obama-- Obama is hated in the MidEast by a variety of anti-democratic, terrorist groups like al Qaeda, and in a way the organization never hated Bush.

(In point of fact, the Bush and bin Laden families were much friendlier, sub rosa. After all, Bush flew bin Laden's family safely out of the USA, after 911, while the FBI watched. Both Bush and bin Laden families invested in the American private equity fund, The Carlyle Group, and Carlyle profited by money spent on Iraq.)

No, crowd scenes and chanted slogans are cheap-- and misleading. Just as "tea party" slogans were shouted last summer by those who never read Jefferson's works (much less understood them), only an amateur or an amateur propagandist would snatch a crowd scene as the whole story.

As for lecturing CBS about journalism, jousterusa has a great deal to learn, from all appearances. Journalism is not about faux protests choreographed by Faux News with commercially-printed posters and signs, and lobby-supplied "how to protest" handouts and slogans.

Instead, professional journalists probe for the truth as they chronicle the movement of the people of Iran toward greater democracy-- a democracy denied them by Ahmadinejad and the ruling council.

But it is interesting to consider whether the fringe right in this country has a greater hatred for Obama than has al Qaeda-- it is a close and difficult call to make.

* jouster's protest follows the question raised by a Faux News reporter at an Obama press conference, last March, "What took you so long?" This, after Obama already had taken time days earlier to explain why he suspended comment on Iranian protests.

[searingtruth]

"Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing."
Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

A Future of the Brave

[ToolMangler1]

Nice touch, Iran!!!!
If the protests are against you then use bullets, if against the USA, then use soft Batons.. WOW!!!!

[Stevenapoli7]

Good Muslims vs. Evil Muslims

[Canis_Lupus13]

I want to be an Iran police... they get to ride dirt bikes...

[stillwaters6]

GET OUT OF AFGHANISTAN...

Karzai's government is SUSPECT.

[mljohns00]

Too bad we destroyed their country by forcing the Prime Minister out and replacing him with a dictator, Mohammad Rez? Sh?h Pahlavi in 1941. An apology to Iranians for what we did to their country would be the best thing we could do.

[PaGuy1960]

does anyone really care about Iran at this point.

[msimamaji]

The GOP campaigned on the slogan "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran." For real, are Iran's protestors the people we want to bomb?

It's too bad the media doesn't cover world events like the German magazine Der Spiegel. According to a recent article in the October 12 edition of Der Spiegal, Die Atom-Schlamperei by Dina Deckstein, Frank Dohmen, and Cordula Mayer, the nuclear power industry in Europe is in deep financial trouble. The attempts to build new third generation heavy water reactors are burdened with financial problems, cost overrides and defective design.

Iran wants nuclear power, but if Europe cannot make it work financially (even Areva is having financial problems) - what makes Iran's regime of mullahs believe that they will succeed? Will they build defective, unsafe power plants to cut costs? In addition, I still haven't figured out how Iran will get the water it needs for its nuclear industry. Some of Iran's neighbors across the Persian Gulf, the famous oil shiekdoms, seem to have figured it out - and they are investing heavily in solar energy. (A hint for the US.)

Iran's leaders led by their own sense of hubris, religious fanaticism, and ignorance are really digging their own grave. A society that hates its young cannot survive. A society that depends on nuclear power will eventually bankrupt itself. A lesson for Iran - and perhaps also for the US?

[legacyABQ2]

You have a nice rhetorical flourish.

[dangyankee69]

Iran is a wonderful demonstation of the ways that a repressive regime can utilize modern methods to quell dissent within its populace. Teabaggers take note.

[joule3]

Take note of Obama's repressive regime?

[bubbadubba]

Like Papa Chester says, all I hear in this story is "blah blah blah".
Nothing is going to change in Iran.

[fleabag75]

Man, bubbadubba, get your butt over there and do something!

[armik80]

Freedom Messenger - Ghasedane AZADI this is one of the best news center from iran .

[armik80]

to have news from iran Contact us: [e-mail]

Follow us on Twitter: @freedommesenger

Our Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/freedommessenger20

Our Blogg: http://freedommessenger.blogspot.com/

[armik80]

Iran: Two shot and injured by regime forces in Tehran street
Wednesday, 04 November 2009
Nov. 4 nationwide uprising ? Statement 4

NCRI - The suppressive forces opened fire on demonstrators in Tehran?s Beheshti Street, injuring at least two, according to eye witnesses.

In Haft-e Tir Square suppressive forces attacked people and fired tear gas. At least 35 demonstrators have been arrested and taken to Al-Javad Mosque. Clashes in Haft-e Tir Square and streets around it continued lunch time Tehran.

Some 100 agents of the regime riding motorcycles are attacking people and trying to create an atmosphere of terror and fear.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
November 4, 2009

[ToolMangler1]

What a crock!!!!!!

[ToolMangler1]

disregard previous, Wrong reply .

[armik80]

Iranian regime turns off cell phone network in Tehran University
Wednesday, 04 November 2009
Nov. 4 nationwide uprising ? Statement 6

NCRI - Thousands of Tehran University students chanted ?Death to dictator,? on Wednesday. The sounds of their protest could be heard outside the campus and in Enqelab Square.

Anti-riot and Herassat (universities security) forces are stationed in Quds and 16th of Azar streets to control the protests by students. The cell phone network in the area is turned off.

Students of Sharif University of Technology are marching toward Enqelab Square.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
November 4, 2009