Anti-government clashes with police persist in Tehran

Despite repeated warnings from authorities, Iranian protesters have refused to back down and unrest persists in downtown core of Tehran.

Ministry of Intelligence and the Judiciary each issued statements warning protesters that the government will show “no mercy” in dealing with dissidents.

The warnings have been coupled with the deployment of the Special Forces all across the city.

ValiAsr and Haft-e Tir Squares have seen sporadic altercations between protesters and the Special Guards today. Police has used tear gas bombs to disperse the crowds and reportedly several protesters were also arrested.

Reformist website Jaras reports: “Many of the officers have been spotted carrying firearms and special armoured vehicles have been brought in from Karaj for the suppression of protesters.”

Reports also tell of Security helicopters flying in the central areas of Tehran.

According to Jaras police has confronted protesters in Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery at the site of Ali Mousavi’s grave. Ali Mousavi, nephew of opposition leader MirHosein Mousavi, was gunned down on Sunday from a car. His family was given a few hours to lay him to rest under strict security measures.

In the days following the opposition’s show of force on Ashura Day when election protesters once more took to the streets en masse re-affirming their dissent from the government which they claim is founded on vote fraud, the government has retaliated with widespread arrests and attack of student activists in universities all across the country.

The government rallied its supporters yesterday to condemn the recent protests and threaten protesters with fierce confrontation. The rally speakers called for the arrest of the opposition leaders, MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.