Iran Opposition Gets Renewed Energy From Egypt

A garbage container is set on fire as Iranian protesters stage an anti-government demonstration, under the pretext of rallies supporting Arab uprisings, in Tehran on February 14, 2011. / AFP/Getty Images

Egypt's revolution continues to inspire opposition movements throughout the Middle East. There were anti-government protests today in Iran, Yemen and Bahrain, which organizers there called a "day of rage."

Police fired rubber bullets and used tear gas to disperse crowds in the capital of the tiny Arab island kingdom. At least one person was killed. The protesters are demanding more freedom. The king had recently tried to buy their support by offering every family thousands of dollars in cash. Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's fifth fleet.

In Iran, Monday's protests were among the most violent since the disputed 2009 election. CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports that at least one person was killed there as well.

Complete Coverage: Anger in the Arab World

The pro-government Fars News Agency reported that a bystander was shot dead at the hands of protesters. Eyewitnesses said at least three protesters injured by bullets were taken to a hospital in central Tehran while dozens of others were hospitalized because of severe wounds as a result of being beaten.

"An Iranian dies but doesn't accept humiliation," demonstrators chanted. "Death to the dictator," they said, in a chant directed at hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Security forces on motorcycles could also be seen chasing protesters through the streets, according to eyewitnesses.

Fars, which is linked to the Revolutionary Guard, Iran's most powerful military force called protesters "hypocrites, monarchists, ruffians and seditionists," and ridiculed them for not chanting any slogans about Egypt as they had originally promised.

The agency added that an unspecified number of protesters were arrested and handed over to police and security officials.

Opposition website kaleme.com reported that similar rallies took place in the central city of Isfahan and Shiraz in the south. Security forces used force to disperse them as well.

Following the announcements by the opposition that they would attempt to hold a new rally in solidarity with the Egypt uprising, Iran's security forces cut phone lines and blockaded the home of an opposition leader in attempts to stop him attending the planned rally.

Police and militiamen poured onto the streets of Tehran to challenge the marches, which officials worry could turn into demonstrations against Iran's ruling system.

With Iran under a media lockdown, the only glimpses of the unrest came via cell phone video. It shows the crowds were big, they were angry and they were emboldened by events in Egypt.

"Whether Cairo or Tehran," they chant, "death to the oppressors."

At one point, protestors start to deface a poster of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. When a government supporter steps in, the mob turns on him. However, eyewitness say the vast bulk of the violence came from police and paramilitaries.

"The paramilitary groups were using these portable tear gasses, using batons and sticks to beat people," said Sayed al-Bathaei.

This is the first time opponents of the regime have moved back onto the streets since a brutal government crackdown two years ago.

The protests in Iran also come just three days after Ahmadinejad praised the protestors in Egypt for, he claims, following Iran's revolutionary lead.

"What we see happening in Iran is a testament to the courage of the Iranian people and an indictment of the hypocrisy of the Iranian regime," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Once again, the fires of anger are burning in Iran.

[olbabee]

Hey birdflight...............shut the hell up!

[olbabee]

One big bomb..........no more problems. Let Allah (joke), sort it out.
He will have a long line of dumba***s.

[Janfebmarapr]

This protest will go away soon in Iran.
Iranians are not Egyptians, and these news stories trying to convince everyone that the people of Iran will overthrow their dictators is just plain silly.
There a few brave Iranians, but most are unwilling to risk their lives for freedom.
Sorry, it's true.

[tiredofthebs]

Here you have it. Proof-positive that OUR GOVERNMENT destabilized the Middle East. Protesters are NO MATCH for the Republican Guard, so I don't think the Iranian Government is worried. Too, shi'ites better recognize! Iran is the only safe place for you! Baathe sympathizers will start retaliating in Iraq soon. Mark my words!!

[tdentino]

Now watch how a REAL repressive society works !! LOL

[birdflight]

There are so many Iranian friends that I have and it is about time that the people of Iran stay standing up to a Government that put's them in the middle of war. Like the Iran-Iraq war that killed so many. Most people everywhere want freedom and peace. But! it is those in control that start problems and we have seen since 1987 the rising up of people's everywhere! to get freedom. Be it the Philippines in 1989, Thailand in 1987 and more times Thai people rose up! and so fourth! in other countries! BEWARE! THOSE IN CONTROL OF PEOPLE! WHO WANT FREEDOM! WE PEOPLE! EVERYWHERE SILL RISE UP! AND CONTINUE TO DO SO! UNTIL THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM IS REACHED! EVEN IN EUROPE WHERE LEADERS ARE NOT! PERFORMING PROPERLY! LIKE ITALY! OR RECENTLY IN ENGLAND! WHERE THE GOV'T IS NOT CONTROLLING THE ECONOMICS THE RIGHT WAY! SO BEWARE! THE RICH! WHO TRY TO CONTROL THINGS! YOU NEED TO BE SURE THAT PEOPLE EVERYWHERE CAN INSURE THEM SELF'S GOOD PAYING JOBS! AND FREEDOM! THE COMPANIES ARE MAKING TONS OF PROFIT! AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PEOPLE! AND THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND THEIR FAMILIES! PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF NOT EARNING A DECENT LIVING! BEWARE! PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID! AND THE INTERNET ETC.! WILL FEED THIS INFORMATION TO THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING! SO DO TRUE DEMOCRACY WHERE PEOPLES LIVES ARE ENRICHED WITH HARD WORK AND GOOD PAY! AND NOT BEING RULED BY DICTATORS OR ECONOMICS! THAT IS WHAT STARTED IT! IN TUNISIA! WHERE A YOUNG MAN WORKING HARD WAS SPAT UPON! AND HE BURNED HIMSELF IN PROTEST! OR IN 1989 IN CANCUN, MEXICO AND THE INTERNATIONAL WORLD MEETING OF COMPANIES THAT A SOUTH KOREAN FARMER KILLED HIMSELF TO PROTEST HIS RICE FARM BEING TAKEN OVER BY A GIANT COMPANY! WE THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! WILL NOT PUT UP WITH THIS FOR MUCH LONGER! AND BEWARE! THE DRUG DEALERS AND CRIMINALS OF MEXICO! ONE DAY THE PEOPLE SHALL RISE UP! AGAINST YOU TOO! AND YOU SHALL ALL BE ARRESTED AND/OR KILLED IN YOUR ON GOING EVIL WAYS!
PEACE AND LOVE SHALL OVERCOME AND RULE!
BIRDFLIGHT!
LOVING PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! KEEP UP THE FIGHT!
FOR FREEDOM, LOVE, FAIRNESS, STANDARD OF LIVING!

[olbabee]

Shut the hell up!

[noneoftheabove1955]

Further evidence that not all followers of Islam support Theocracy let alone terrorism. The Arab people ARE NOT THE ENEMY. The followers of Islam ARE NOT THE ENEMY. Those who would use violence to enforce their will on others ARE THE ENEMY!!!!! It does not matter if it is Terrorist, the government of China, or a Pro-Western Dictator, all who take away or attempt to take away the freedom of others must be opposed by all freedom loving people everywhere.

[davefromdayton]

You do know that Iranians are persian (not arab), right?

[Mastermind7526]

The governments in the Middle East are finally getting overthrown and the people are actually being heard for once. I really think the US and other countries need to stay out of these places for now and just see how everything unfolds. It sounds like things might be getting a bit out of hand there, but it really is not anyone else's' problem as to how everything there pans out. Middle east and current issues&http://fms.nu/h2xbqq

[bankersvox]

This time i hope Pres Obama gives them the same support, cause to celebrate in the media, as he did in Egypt !!! Please speak up for IRAN people.

[Middle_American_Man]

I have been informed there is something out there called the "cyber-Basij" - a paramilitary offshoot of the Iranian government, and some of them seem to be attempting to influence U.S. opinion on message boards, etc, strange and paranoid as it may seem.

[tdentino]

and there are nooooooooo gays in iran lol