The Washington Post:
Witnesses report fierce clashes on Tehran streets
SLIDESHOW
An Iranian woman holds a poster of the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad under a painting of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a rally at the conclusion of the Friday prayers, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. Iran's supreme leader sternly warned of a crackdown if protesters continue days of massive street rallies, escalating the government's showdown with demonstrators demanding a new presidential election. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Vahid Salemi - AP)
An Iranian man holds a poster of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the conclusion of the Friday prayers, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. Iran's supreme leader said Friday that the country's disputed presidential vote had not been rigged, sternly warning protesters of a crackdown if they continue massive demonstrations demanding a new election. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Vahid Salemi - AP)
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers his sermon in front of a picture of the late spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini, during the Friday prayers, at the Tehran University campus, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. Iran's supreme leader said Friday that the country's disputed presidential vote had not been rigged, sternly warning protesters of a crackdown if they continue massive demonstrations demanding a new election. (AP Photo/Hayat News Agency, Meisam Hosseini) (Meisam Hosseini - AP)
An Iranian man holds a poster of the Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the conclusion of the Friday prayers, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. The name of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is written on the poster. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Vahid Salemi - AP)
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, right, listens to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's speech, as parliament speaker Ali Larijani, center, sits, during the Friday prayers, at the Tehran University campus, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. Iran's supreme leader said Friday that the country's disputed presidential vote had not been rigged, sternly warning protesters of a crackdown if they continue massive demonstrations demanding a new election. (AP Photo/Hayat News Agency, Meisam Hosseini) (Meisam Hosseini - AP)
Iranian worshippers chant slogans in support of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they arrive for the Friday prayers, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. _ Iran's supreme leader sternly warned of a crackdown if protesters continue days of massive street rallies, escalating the government's showdown with demonstrators demanding a new presidential election. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Vahid Salemi - AP)
An Iranian man chants slogans in support of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as they arrive for the Friday prayers, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. _ Iran's supreme leader sternly warned of a crackdown if protesters continue days of massive street rallies, escalating the government's showdown with demonstrators demanding a new presidential election. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Vahid Salemi - AP)
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers his sermon in front of a picture of the late spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini, during the Friday prayers, at the Tehran University campus, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 19, 2009. Iran's supreme leader said Friday that the country's disputed presidential vote had not been rigged, sternly warning protesters of a crackdown if they continue massive demonstrations demanding a new election. (AP Photo/Hayat News Agency, Meisam Hosseini) (Meisam Hosseini - AP)
RETRANSMITS graphic that moved June 12; graphic explains Iran's political system (P. Santilli - AP)
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI and NASSER KARIMI
The Associated Press
Saturday, June 20, 2009; 9:37 AM
TEHRAN, Iran -- Witnesses said police fired tear gas and water cannons at thousands of protesters who rallied in Tehran Saturday in open defiance of Iran's clerical government, sharply escalating the most serious internal conflict since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Eyewitnesses described fierce clashes near Revolution Square in central Tehran after some 3,000 protesters chanted "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to dictatorship!" Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, the witnesses said.
English-language state TV said a blast at the Tehran shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had killed one persona and wounded two but the report could not be independently confirmed due to government restrictions on independent reporting.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned opposition leaders on Friday to end street protests or be held responsible for any "bloodshed and chaos" to come.
Eyewitnesses contacted by The Associated Press said thousands of police and plainclothes militia members filled the streets Saturday to prevent rallies. Fire trucks took up positions in Revolution Square and riot police surrounded Tehran University, the site of recent clashes between protesters and security forces, one witness said.
Web sites run by supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said he planned to post a message, but there was no statement by the time of the planned street protests at 4 p.m. (7:30 a.m. EDT, 1130 GMT). Some pro-reform Web sites called for people to take to the streets
Tehran Province Police Chief Ahmad Reza Radan said earlier in the day "police forces will crack down on any gathering or protest rally which are being planned by some people."
English-language state TV said the country's highest national security body had ordered security forces to deal with the situation. It did not elaborate.
The government statements were the most explicit warnings yet of force against protesters who gathered in massive rallies last week to demand the government cancel and rerun elections that ended with a declaration of overwhelming victory for hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mousavi says he won but Ahmadinejad stole the election through widespread fraud.
Khamenei sided firmly with Ahmadinejad Friday, saying the result reflected popular will and ordering opposition leaders to end street protests or face the consequences.
The statement effectively closed the door to Mousavi's demand for a new election, ratcheting up the possibility of a bloody confrontation
Resize 
CLOSE
