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'Gunfire' at Iran protest rally 'Gunfire' at Iran protest rally
(about 2 hours later)
Iranian security forces have clashed violently with opposition supporters in central Tehran, witnesses say.Iranian security forces have clashed violently with opposition supporters in central Tehran, witnesses say.
Police used batons and tear gas, according to the witnesses. There were also unconfirmed reports of security forces using live rounds.Police used batons and tear gas, according to the witnesses. There were also unconfirmed reports of security forces using live rounds.
State media confirmed there had been clashes, though a foreign media ban means details cannot be verified. State media confirmed there had been clashes, though a foreign media ban means details are hard to verify.
The violence came on the day that Iran holds an annual commemoration for the killing of three students in 1953.The violence came on the day that Iran holds an annual commemoration for the killing of three students in 1953.
Early on Monday, hundreds of Iranian police were reported to have surrounded Tehran University to try to block protests.Early on Monday, hundreds of Iranian police were reported to have surrounded Tehran University to try to block protests.
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.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 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 class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8399870.stm">In pictures: Iran protests
They have cracked down hard on protests by opposition supporters following the disputed election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June.They have cracked down hard on protests by opposition supporters following the disputed election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June.
The election led to the largest street protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with thousands arrested and dozens killed.The election led to the largest street protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with thousands arrested and dozens killed.
The government then banned protests, and its opponents took to using officially sanctioned demonstrations to turn out in big numbers and publicise their message.The government then banned protests, and its opponents took to using officially sanctioned demonstrations to turn out in big numbers and publicise their message.
'Khamenei protest''Khamenei protest'
On Monday, clashes were reported in Vali Asr Square. On Monday, clashes were reported in Vali Asr Square and other areas in the centre of Tehran.
One witness said that police had fired tear gas at protesters there who were chanting "Death to the Dictator", and "Do not be scared - we are all together". As in previous protests, opposition supporters wearing green scarves and masks chanted "Death to the Dictator". Police and militiamen responded by beating protesters and firing tear gas, 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.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."
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.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.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.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 organisedAn 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 our correspondent says would be highly unusual.One report said students were protesting not only against President Ahmadinejad, but also Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which our correspondent says would be highly unusual.
In Tehran, at least two opposition supporters were arrested, according to one reformist website. In Tehran, officials were said to have filmed protesters and at least two opposition supporters were arrested.
Authorities had shut down mobile phone networks in the centre of the capital to stop opposition supporters from communicating with each other, another opposition website said.Authorities had shut down mobile phone networks in the centre of the capital to stop opposition supporters from communicating with each other, another 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.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 mothersMourning mothers
As restrictions have increased, activists have moved away from new media, using leaflets, CDs and word of mouth instead.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 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".
"If you silence all the universities, what can you do with the situation of the society?" he asked."If you silence all the universities, what can you do with the situation of the society?" he asked.
The annual Students Day event on Monday commemorates the death of students during an anti-American protest in 1953.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.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:
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