Supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi clash with pro-government hardliners in Iranian capital
For the first time since riots broke out in Tehran in the wake of Iran’s disputed presidential election, pro- and anti-government forces clashed in the Iranian capital early Friday at an annual anti-Israel rally. Thousands of supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the defeated reformist presidential candidate, amassed in northern and central Tehran for “Qods (Jerusalem) Day” where they were met with police who reportedly used tear gas to disperse them. Some were also reportedly beaten and arrested by Iranian security forces. Mousavi, along with cleric Mehdi Karoubi and former president Mohammad Khatami, briefly joined the rally, but were forced to flee after being attacked by supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.