Police and protesters clash in Tehran

Iranian members of the Basij militia burn a US flag outside the former US embassy in Tehran yesterday during a rally to mark the storming of the American embassy by Iranian students 30 years ago. Photo: AFP

Police used batons and teargas to break up an opposition protest in central Tehran yesterday, while huge crowds staged a noisy anti-US rally nearby to mark the storming of the American embassy by students 30 years ago.
US President Barack Obama, meanwhile, in a statement marking the anniversary of the event that sparked decades of hostility between America and Iran urged Tehran to make choices that would end its international isolation.
Witnesses said the violent clashes occurred at Haft-e-Tir square in the heart of the capital when riot police armed with batons and firing teargas moved in on a crowd of several hundred opposition supporters staging a protest.
The protesters, who were chanting "Death to the dictator," refused to disperse and dozens were beaten or arrested. Groups of pro-government hardliners also gathered at the square chanting "Death to America."
Opposition website Mowzcamp.com reported that opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi was among the protesters at the square but left quickly after he and his supporters came under attack by the hardliners.