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'Gunfire' at Iran protest rally Iran protesters clash with police
(about 2 hours later)
Iranian security forces have clashed violently with opposition supporters in central Tehran, witnesses say. Dozens of people are reported to have been arrested across Iran after violent confrontations between security forces and anti-government demonstrators.
Police used batons and tear gas, according to the witnesses. There were also unconfirmed reports of security forces using live rounds. In the capital Tehran, police and militiamen used batons and teargas, and witnesses said there had been gunfire.
State media confirmed there had been clashes, though a foreign media ban means details are hard to verify. The protests, led by Iranian students, were over the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and suppression of academic freedom.
The violence came on the day that Iran holds an annual commemoration for the killing of three students in 1953. It appears to be the most widespread unrest in Iran for months.
Early on Monday, hundreds of Iranian police were reported to have surrounded Tehran University to try to block protests. Foreign journalists were banned from reporting on the rallies, and the Iranian authorities closed down mobile phone networks and severely restricted internet access.
Iranian security forces, including the elite Revolutionary Guards, had warned that they would step in to prevent any attempt to use the event to stage opposition protests.
After the election the chants were only about people getting their votes back, but now it is more about the system and leaders themselves Opposition chants invert old slogans In pictures: Iran protests Amateur video captures protestsAfter the election the chants were only about people getting their votes back, but now it is more about the system and leaders themselves Opposition chants invert old slogans In pictures: Iran protests Amateur video captures protests
They have cracked down hard on protests following the disputed election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June. The BBC's Jon Leyne says the main objective of the opposition was to keep their movement alive.
The election led to the largest street protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with thousands arrested and dozens killed. He adds that the government and Mr Ahmadinejad must feel deeply frustrated, as they still have not silenced the protests, six months after claiming victory in the presidential election.
The government then banned protests, and its opponents began using officially sanctioned demonstrations to turn out in big numbers and publicise their message. The disputed election led to the largest street protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with thousands arrested and dozens killed.
'Khamenei protest' The government then banned protests, so its opponents began using officially sanctioned demonstrations to turn out in big numbers and publicise their message.
On Monday, clashes were reported in Vali Asr Square and other areas in the centre of Tehran. Supreme leader berated
Monday's violence came during Iran's annual commemoration of the killings of three students during anti-American protests in 1953.
An Iranian activist describes how demonstrations are organised
At one university, students tore down a poster of Mr Ahmadinejad and trampled on it.
Elsewhere, in a highly unusual move, they chanted against the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Police and members of the government's Basji militia tried to contain the protest within the universities. At the gates of Tehran university and several other universities, there were angry clashes.
As in previous protests, opposition supporters, some wearing green scarves and masks, chanted "Death to the Dictator". Green is the colour adopted by the reformist movement in recent months.As in previous protests, opposition supporters, some wearing green scarves and masks, chanted "Death to the Dictator". Green is the colour adopted by the reformist movement in recent months.
Police and militiamen responded by beating protesters and firing tear gas, and dozens of people were arrested, witnesses said.
Security forces were trying to prevent students from leaving Tehran University campus and joining protests, according to Amirkabir website, which is run by reformist students.
Iran's Irna state news agency said: "Some rioters who aimed at exploiting the special ceremonies to mark Student Day gathered in the streets surrounding Tehran University and clashed with law enforcement forces."Iran's Irna state news agency said: "Some rioters who aimed at exploiting the special ceremonies to mark Student Day gathered in the streets surrounding Tehran University and clashed with law enforcement forces."
Photos showed student supporters of the regime scuffling with reformists inside the campus. Protests were also reported at Tehran's Amir Kabir and Sharif universities. As protests were reported, Iranian state TV was broadcasting a round-table discussion about how loyal students are to the system.
The BBC's Jon Leyne said he had heard reports from numerous different sources that live rounds had been fired, with some claiming the government had used them without provocation.
Iranian authorities say they do not use live rounds against protesters.
Mowjcamp, a reformist website, said security forces had fired into the air to disperse people in Enqelab Square.
There have been reports of student protests in cities across Iran, including Arak, Shiraz, Mashhad, Kerman and Isfahan, our correspondent reports from Istanbul, where he has been meeting opposition supporters.
An Iranian activist describes how demonstrations are organised
One report said students were protesting not only against President Ahmadinejad, but also Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which would be highly unusual.
In Tehran, authorities shut down mobile phone networks to stop opposition supporters from communicating with each other, an opposition website said.
In the days before the rally, Tehran residents said that they had been unable to use e-mail and that opposition websites were being more tightly restricted than before.
Mourning mothers
As restrictions have increased, activists have moved away from new media, using leaflets, CDs and word of mouth instead.
OFFICIAL EVENTS USED FOR OPPOSITION PROTESTS President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sworn in, 5 AugustQuds (Jerusalem) Day, 18 SeptemberUS embassy seizure anniversary, 4 NovemberStudents Day, 7 DecemberOFFICIAL EVENTS USED FOR OPPOSITION PROTESTS President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sworn in, 5 AugustQuds (Jerusalem) Day, 18 SeptemberUS embassy seizure anniversary, 4 NovemberStudents Day, 7 December
Dozens of people have been given jail terms and as many as five people have been sentenced to death following the post-election demonstrations.Dozens of people have been given jail terms and as many as five people have been sentenced to death following the post-election demonstrations.
At the weekend, more than 20 people were arrested at a regular protest by a group of women that includes mothers whose sons and daughters were killed in post-election violence. Some of the women were later released.At the weekend, more than 20 people were arrested at a regular protest by a group of women that includes mothers whose sons and daughters were killed in post-election violence. Some of the women were later released.
On Sunday, former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who emerged as a leader for reformist opponents to the regime, said the protest movement was still alive.On Sunday, former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who emerged as a leader for reformist opponents to the regime, said the protest movement was still alive.
In a statement posted on his website, he warned that authorities were "fighting with shadows in the streets".In a statement posted on his website, he warned that authorities were "fighting with shadows in the streets".
The annual Students Day event on Monday commemorates the death of students during an anti-American protest in 1953.
As protests were reported, Iranian state TV was broadcasting a round-table discussion about how loyal students are to the system.
Are you in Iran? Have you seen the demonstrations? Send us your views using the form below:Are you in Iran? Have you seen the demonstrations? Send us your views using the form below:
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions