Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Iran Police Clash With 3K Protesters

Witness describe chaos at a protest near Tehran mosque

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 28, 2009 1:47 PM CDT

(AP) – Riot police clashed with up to 3,000 protesters near a mosque in north Tehran today, using tear gas and truncheons to break up Iran's first post-election demonstration in 5 days. Witnesses told the AP 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 be independently verified right away 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.

[Images (9)]

[Videos (2)]

In this photo taken on Monday, June 15, 2009, a woman passes Iranian police officers, as they stand guard in front of the British Embassy during an anti-British protest in Tehran, Iran. (Vahid Salemi)

In this image issued by the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attends in a ceremony of judiciary in Tehran, Iran on Saturday June, 27, 2009. ((AP Photo/ISNA, Arash Khamushi))

Demonstrators scream slogans as they wave Iranian flags outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels, Saturday June 27, 2009, protesting the outcome of the presidential election in Iran. (Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

A woman places photos of people killed in post election violence next to a poster of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the father of Islamic revolution in Iran, in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, June 27, 2009. (BURHAN OZBILICI)

In this photo taken on Monday, June 15, 2009, Iranian police officers stand guard in front of the British Embassy during an anti-British protest in Tehran, Iran. (Vahid Salemi)

In this image issued by the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaks during a ceremony of judiciary in Tehran, Iran on Saturday June, 27, 2009. (STR)

Egyptian anti-riot policemen prevent demonstrators from gathering at a Cairo downtown street on Saturday, June 27, 2009. ((AP Photo))

An Iranian resident in France holds a rose and a placard during a rally in Iran and to protest against violence and lack of human rights in Iran during a march in Paris, Sunday June 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

An Iranian resident in France holds a rose during a rally in Iran and to protest against violence and lack of human rights in Iran during a march in Paris, Sunday June 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Police crack down on protesters in Iran. (YouTube)

Top Obama adviser David Axelrod says Iran is taking the "wrong path." (msnbc)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Khamenei Warns US: Don't Mess With Iran

Any response to alleged plot against Saudi ambassador will be 'resolute' response

(AP) - Iran's supreme leader warned the United States today that any measures taken against Tehran over an alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington would elicit a "resolute" response. "If US officials have some delusions, (they must) know that any unsuitable act, whether political or security, will meet a resolute response from the Iranian nation," state TV quoted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying. More»

Ayatollah Khamenei Backs Ahmadinejad in Power Struggle

But Iran supreme leader also issues warning to the president

(NEWSER) - A power struggle in Iran between president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Khamenei appears to be resolving, as the country's supreme leader publicly backed Ahmadinejad yesterday, reports the Los Angeles Times . "While there are weaknesses and problems, the composition of the executive branch is good and appropriate, and the government is working," said Khamenei to parliament in a speech that was later broadcast on television. "The government and parliament must help each other." More»

Ayatollah: Aide Has 'Bewitched' Ahmadinejad

Cleric says president's 'unnatural' behavior is due to spells, charms

(NEWSER) - Mahmoud Ahmadinedjad’s feud with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei isn't his fault: He’s under a magic spell. At least, that’s the theory one influential cleric is peddling. In an interview with an Iranian magazine, Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, a former Ahmadinejad supporter, says he believes Ahmadinejad’s top adviser, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, has used spells, charms, and hypnotism on the president. “I am almost certain that he has been bewitched,” Yazdi says. More»

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Is AWOL From Job

He's in a power tiff with Iran's supreme leader

(NEWSER) - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is waging a personal strike of sorts. He hasn't been in his office, on TV, or at a Cabinet meeting for more than a week, reports AFP . The reason is a tense feud with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—one that doesn't bode well for Ahmadinejad's political future, explains AP . The trouble began when Ahmadinejad pressured Iran's spy chief, Heidar Moslehi, into resigning on April 17. Hours later, Khamenei pulled rank and reinstated him. More»

Iranian Police Squash Protests

Anti-government rally in Tehran buckles under crackdown

(NEWSER) - The Iranians who took to the streets of Tehran yesterday for what was supposed to be a major protest met with thousands of security forces armed with clubs, tear gas, and Tasers, who broke up the gatherings, witnesses tell the Washington Post . There were also unconfirmed reports of gunshots, and opposition groups claim that at least two people were killed. Police, meanwhile, say they arrested a man carrying explosives. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Iran Police Clash With 3K Protesters