Media reports state that Iran’s President Ahmadinejad has declared Iran to be a “nuclear state,” while opposition leaders were attacked, and security forces used tear gas to disrupt counterprotests by opposition groups.
Media reports state that “hundreds of thousands” of Iran government supporters came out in support of Ahmadinejad’s government on the “Islamic revolution” anniversary in Iran.
AP Report – Iran: Ahmadinejad tells Iran it is now a ‘nuclear state’
— AP reports: “Hundreds of thousands of government supporters massed Thursday in central Tehran to mark the anniversary of the revolution that created Iran’s Islamic republic, while a heavy security force that fanned across the city moved quickly to snuff out counterprotests by the opposition.”
— “In a nationally televised address in the square, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proclaimed that Iran has produced its first batch of uranium enriched to a higher level, saying his country will not be bullied by the West into curtailing its nuclear program a day after the U.S. imposed new sanctions.”
— “‘The first package of 20 percent fuel was produced and provided to the scientists,’ he said, reiterating that Iran was now a “nuclear state.” He did not specify how much uranium had been enriched.”— AP reports on new claims of 20 percent uranium enrichment, with Iran “has said it wants to further enrich the uranium – which is still substantially below the 90 percent plus level needed for a weapon.
UK Guardian: Iran protests: live blog
— video “shows people running in panic after shouting slogans against the government.”
Voice of America – Iran: Clashes in Iran on Anniversary of Islamic Revolution
— Voice of America reports: “Iranian authorities clashed with opposition supporters Thursday as huge crowds rallied in Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic.”
— “Iranian opposition Web sites say security forces fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters gathering in central Tehran.”
— “There are reports that leading reformist politicians Mehdi Karroubi and former President Mohammad Khatami were attacked when they attended the rally.”
The London Times report “Iran opposition leaders attacked as regime floods streets” states that:
— “Determined to prevent the so-called Green Movement from hijacking the biggest day in Iran’s calendar, the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, the regime also flooded Tehran with security forces who moved swiftly and violently to break up opposition demonstrations.”
— “The opposition leaders Mehdi Karroubi and Mohammed Khatami – a former president – were attacked. Zahra Eshraghi, the granddaughter of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 revolution, was briefly arrested. She is married to Mr Khatami’s brother and her own brother, Hassan, has made clear his hostility to the regime.”
— “Mr Karroubi’s son, Hussein, said his father had to get out of his car and walk towards Sadeghieh Square, where thousands of supporters had gathered, because the roads were blocked. He was joined by hundreds of other protestors, but they found their way blocked by plainclothes security forces who attacked them with knives, batons and teargas.”
— “Mr Karroubi’s bodyguards had to bundle him into a passing car which managed to drive him away, but not before the security forces smashed its windscreen and bodywork. One of the bodyguards was seriously injured. Mr Karroubi’s other son, Ali, was arrested.
— “Opposition websites reported numerous clashes across the capital between the security forces and large crowds of opposition supporters…. They claimed the security forces were using live ammunition, knives, teargas and paint-filled balls that would enable them to identify protesters later, that they were beating and arresting women as well as men and that they were smashing car windscreens.”
New York Times: Iran Claims Nuclear Gain as Protesters Clash