Tehran police 'fire tear gas at opposition protesters'

[demoleft]

Source: bbc

Iranian security forces have fired tear gas and warning shots amid clashes with protesters in Tehran, opposition members and reformist websites say.

The reported clashes came as the opposition called on people to take to the streets as the Shia Muslim festival of Ashura reached a climax.

People were chanting "Khamenei will be toppled", opposition sources said, a reference to Iran's Supreme Leader.

There have been days of sporadic protests in various cities across Iran.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8431523.stm

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"Reports: At least 3 Iranian protesters killed"

TEHRAN, Iran – Opposition Web sites and witnesses say Iranian security forces have opened fire on anti-government protesters in the capital, killing at least three people and injuring two others.

Authorities had warned of a harsh crackdown should opposition supporters hold rallies coinciding with Sunday's religious observances marking the 7th Century death in battle of one of Shiite Islam's most beloved saints.

Police helicopters circled overhead and clouds of smoke billowed into the sky.

The pro-reform Web site Rah-e-Sabz said security forces fired on protesters, killing at least three.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091227/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran

[Don Caballero]

1. We should be helping the protesters

I hope we are sending black ops and CIA agents into Iran to try to destabilize the corrupt government. These protesters are the perfect catalyst to help topple the regime there.

[AverageJoe5]

2. If the story I just saw on CNN is accurate ......

.... It's the protesters who are provoking the violence by throwing rocks at security forces and burning security vehicles, and even after being tear-gassed, the protesters were not backing down. If the protesters are indeed doing that (endangering the lives of the security forces who are trying to maintain peace and order), how are the Iranian security forces supposed to respond? How would police in the U.S. respond if some misguided Americans threw rocks at police and burned police vehicles, and the protesters didn't back down even after being tear-gassed?

[zerox]

3. American police would be crucified if they opened fire into a crowd, as happened here.

There is never an excuse for that.

[Don Caballero]

4. You are justifying this?

Are you kidding me? We must stand on the side of democracy.

[AverageJoe5]

5. I just want to know ......

...... How should police respond to a very large group (reported to be tens maybe hundreds of thousands of people) of violent rioters who are throwing rocks at police, burning police vehicles, and who become even more violent when they are tear-gassed?

[alfredo]

7. The police do have their job, but they must also be mindful

of who they are protecting. They are right to protect private property and their own lives, but they are on shaky ground if they are protecting a brutal dictator. Their heavy handedness at the beginning turned a peaceful protest movement violent. The police and government sponsored thugs are to blame for the unrest we see now.

I've marshaled many anti war demonstrations. Too often undisciplined police officers were at the root of disturbances.

[YouTakeTheSkyway]

11. Perhaps the protesters wouldn't be acting so violently if they hadn't endured

beating after beating at the hands of the police and the militia already? They learned you get tough or you get beat, tortured, raped, or murdered at the hands of the "security" services. As far as I'm concerned, they can burn every police vehicle in Tehran, more power to em.

[Wizard777]

6. We must also remember that if ever there was a do it yourself project. Democracy is it.

It's a government of the people by the people and for the people. We are not the Iranian people. The only thing we can do is interfere with their establishing a democracy.

[Flaneur]

9. You are justifying US intervention?

After our glorious history of intervening there? That's how we ended up with the mullahs in the first place.

But of course you are. By your posts it is evident you want war, war, war.

[liquid diamond]

10. Which side are you on?

[Posteritatis]

13. Ahmadinedjad's and with utmost consistency in this guy's case

Only posts to defend the guy (or to say that any protestors in Iran are vile anarchists). It's kind of sad, really.

[Flaneur]

8. Just what the Iranians need: another CIA sponsored overthrow.

Any US involvement will delegitimize the anti-regime movement. Of course, you can bet it's already happening.

[YouTakeTheSkyway]

12. For the record, I don't think the U.S. should be aiding the demonstrators

simply because doing so would undermine their legitimacy in the region. With that said, I think the protesters are definitely on the right side. They have my sympathy and respect.

[TomCADem]

14. BBC - "Iran's Ahmadinejad visits Hugo Chavez to deepen ties"

I think we should stay out of it. Its a domestic Iranian matter.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8378316.stm

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Venezuela on the third leg of his tour of South America to boost ties.

He is set to sign business and industrial accords with his close ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Mr Chavez, who has said he wants to develop nuclear energy, has backed Iran's right to a nuclear programme.

The Iranian leader arrived from Bolivia where he and President Evo Morales stressed the right of all nations to a peaceful nuclear programme.

President Ahmadinejad was assured of a warm welcome from his Venezuelan host, Hugo Chavez.

The two outspoken critics of the US have visited each other several times and co-operation between their countries has grown in recent years.

"We have a solid foundation, a solid base that we have created over this decade in our relationship, and it shows how false are the attacks of the world empire," said Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro.