Iran police clash with protesters

Updated on 04 November 2009

By Channel 4 News

A rally marking the 30th anniversary of the storming of the US embassy in Tehran turns violent when police clash with supporters of Mirhossein Mousavi, the Iranian opposition leader.

One witness has described how the protesters were chanting "Death to dictators". Another said teargas had been fired into the crowd.

Jonathan Rugman spoke on News at Noon with his analysis of the situation:

"The demonstrations taking place are some of the biggest since the disputed elections in June.

"It's very hard to get a sense of numbers on the streets because the police break up the protests as soon as they start.

"We are receiving reports of police using batons and tear gas, and of women being beaten.

"Also of orange pellets being fired containing paint so protestors can be easily identified.

"They're not chanting the usual 'Death to America' in which we would expect on this the 30th anniversary of the storming of the embassy. They're shouting 'Democracy for Iran', 'down with Khameni' and 'Down with Ahmadinejad'

"Clearly the protestors are being much bolder than they have been in the past. What does this signify for the regime in the short term? Probably not very much it's a very strong regime.

"In the medium to the long term? Well nobody can really say."

Recent posts on the social networking site Twitter have suggested that Mousavi has asked his supporters to stay out on the streets of the capital. One post reports that hundreds have been arrested in heavy clashes. Another says students and street protesters are moving towards the main entrance of Tehran university.

Opposition supporters have been warned not to use today's anniversary, which is traditionally used by the authorities for the Iranian regime, as a pretext to revisit the anti-establishment protests which followed the presidential election in June, when President Ahmadinejad won a second term.

Blogging the protests

One Iranian blogger, on Revolutionary Road, is running a live blog showing images and videos from the protests. His last post indicates he is caught in clashes as he writes:

"The situation of Haft Tir, Karim Khan and valiasr is very severe and the conflicts and fighting continues and some of the people are marching towards Vanak"

However a statement has now been posted on the blog saying the team have scattered off the streets for their own safety:

"Due to difficulties and danger in the streets and the telecommunication being down, our team have been scattered and in safety for a while until a couple of hours later to report accordingly. Based on the emergency reports, we will update Shouresh however, if things are moving as is, we shall have a full report in a few hours. Check Shouresh for further updates"

Another blogger, Green Revolution Iran, is posting a series of YouTube videos from today - a selection of which can be seen below.

YouTube videos

A number of videos have appeared on YouTube pertaining to be from the protests today, although this is impossible to verify.

Many of the videos have the text "13 Aban" burned on them, which is today's date in the Iranian calendar.

If you have any videos or photos of the protests, please send them to news@channel4.com.

"Whole video 13 Aban, 7 tir street protest p8 (3min 10)"

Wide shot taken from rooftops of crowds clapping and chanting various slogans ranging from "Ya Hossein Mir Hossein" to then the start chanting about the other opposition leader Karoubi.

Cries of "Political prisoners must be freed." can be heard and after two minutes the crowd chants "Death to Russia".

At this point the crowd stampedes away as riot police baton charge the protestors.

In the aftermath cries and women screaming can be heard.

"Iran Tehran 4 Nov 09 Bolvare keshavaraz P14 (54 sec)"

Shots taken from rooftops of crowd marching on road and chanting in "Mir Hossein support us" and "death to the dictator".

TEHRAN: NEW 13 ABAN 88 Zaakhmi Shodaaneh Hamvatani Dar Tazahoraat! (54 secs)

Video showing Iranian man who has been stuck in the head by an orange paint pellet being looked after.

TEHRAN: NEW 13 ABAN 88 Tazahoraat (1min 30 secs)

Street level footage showing crowd singing, clapping hands and singing a revolutionary song Yare Dabestani. At the end cries of revving motorbikes and shouts of "Come come" are heard.