Live blog - Anniversary of seizure of US embassy - November 4

9:15 PM Tehran time - 5:45 PM GMT

Tabriz
Footage of protest earlier today at Tabriz University. 'The true Basijis were Hemmat and Bakeri' referring to two famous martyrs. Bakeri is a son of Tabriz. 'Liar, liar, where's your 63%?'



9:00 PM Tehran time - 5:30 PM GMT

Caller to BBC Persian: I noticed great solidarity among the people. As soon as someone was struck by the security forces, people would rush over to help, give some sweets or comfort. I did not see any fatigue among the protesters. I was in Karim Khan Zand from 10 AM. They would beat us, then we'd go to the next street. They'd beat us again and we'd go elsewhere again.

Mohammad in Tehran to BBC Persian: I got off at Mofatteh subway station. From there, all the way to Enghelab Square, the security forces wouldn't allow more than a dozen people to assemble. On a street leading to Karim Khan, I saw a painful spectacle. Motorcycle riders attacked about a hundred protesters and one young man was bludgeoned so brutally that he lost consciousness. The Basijis were so young. Some wielded electric batons. The police was brutal enough, but the Basijis knew no boundaries. I saw one Basiji lurch into a crowd with his motorcycle.

Mashhad
Footage of protest at Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, earlier today. 'The 63% are here' referring to Ahmadinejad's supposed vote count. 'As long as Ahmadinejad is around, every day will be like this.'



8:30 PM Tehran time - 5:00 PM GMT

Footage of protesters arriving for counter-rally earlier today. The subway stations near the protest meeting points -- Taleghani, Ferdowsi, and Hafteh Tir -- were closed and demonstrators were confronted with heavy security measures as they left stations near major squares.



8:15 PM Tehran time - 4:45 PM GMT

Footage of a massive number of protesters at what appears to be Tehran's Enghelab Square, chanting one of the special slogans prepared for November 4: 'Neither eastern, nor western, a green national government.' This slogan raises the hackles of regime supporters because it is a direct challenge to the old revolutionary phrase 'Neither eastern, nor western, an Islamic Republic.'



8:00 PM Tehran time - 4:30 PM GMT

The New York Times published an article on today's clashes in Iran. 'Iran's beleaguered opposition movement struggled to reassert itself on Wednesday as tens of thousands of protesters skirmished with the riot police amid clouds of tear gas on the sidelines of a major government-sponsored anti-American rally,' the paper reported.

BBC Persian reports that protests took place today across the country, including the following major squares in Tehran: Azadi, Enghelab, Hafteh Tir, Ferdowsi, and Vanak. Security forces exhibited much greater violence than on previous occasions. People tearing down Khamenei's picture and trampling it is a symbol of the Leader's lost position as an unbiased authority.


7:45 PM Tehran time - 4:15 PM GMT

President Barack Obama's statement on Iran, released earlier today, clearly differentiated between the Islamic regime and the people of Iran, and concluded with the following allusion to the Iranian nation's struggle for its rights:
Iran must choose. We have heard for thirty years what the Iranian government is against; the question, now, is what kind of future it is for. The American people have great respect for the people of Iran and their rich history. The world continues to bear witness to their powerful calls for justice, and their courageous pursuit of universal rights.  It is time for the Iranian government to decide whether it wants to focus on the past, or whether it will make the choices that will open the door to greater opportunity, prosperity, and justice for its people.

7:30 PM Tehran time - 4:00 PM GMT

Tehran
'Brave Karroubi' painted on the side of a truck going down what appears to be Keshavarz Boulevard.


Footage from earlier in the day, as Karroubi briefly gets out of his car and waves to the people... 'Honorable Karroubi, come to the nation's aid!'



The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that '200 people' protested in front of its building today.


7:15 PM Tehran time - 3:45 PM GMT

Footage purportedly from earlier today. The brave warriors of the Islamic regime doing what they know best...


And again... This time filmed by intelligence suit for future viewing...



7:00 PM Tehran time - 3:30 PM GMT

More new footage coming in. Protesters help the wounded in what can only be described as a makeshift field hospital.


Mashhad
Footage purportedly from Ferdowsi University, Mashhad. 'Death to the dictator!' 'As long as Ahmadinejad is around, every day will be like this!''Hemmat and Bakeri were true Basijis!' referring to two famous martyrs.





6:50 PM Tehran time - 3:20 PM GMT

Tehran
A dozen plainclothesmen mingling among protesters suddenly rush two youngsters and arrest them in what appears to be Hafteh Tir Square.



6:40 PM Tehran time - 3:10 PM GMT

Protesters tear down a banner with Khamenei's picture... before trampling it in the next video:


Footage of the exalted Leader's picture getting trampled.



6:10 PM Tehran time - 2:40 PM GMT

Tehran
As night falls on the city, pockets of protest persist around Tehran: Enghelab Square, Tehran University, Vali Asr Street, 7th Tir Square, and Laleh Park.

Radio caller: I'm 21. I just got back 30 minutes ago. I've been protesting all day long. Four of us caught a Basiji who was beating a girl in some alley, we pummeled him so hard, he was close to tears and couldn't get up.

Preparing for a pitched battle in front of the Petroleum Industry health services.



5:30 PM Tehran time - 2:00 PM GMT

Caller to Radio Farda (elderly woman): I was in the demonstrations this morning. You can't imagine the number of security troops that had been deployed. It looked like there was one regime agent for every protester. And all this to confront people with nothing to defend themselves with. I finally understood today how scared they are. This regime is over.

Riot police hunt for protesters.


Tehran
The semi-official Fars news agency, close to the Revolutionary Guards, reported on today's events: 'While an unprecedented number of Tehran residents were present in today's November 4 rally, a number of rioters gathered in various parts of the capital and, while chanting slogans in favor of the policies of America and the Zionist regime (NB Israel), attacked the people, public property, and the police.'


5:00 PM Tehran time - 1:30 PM GMT

Tehran
Radio Farda reports that opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi is in state of house arrest. Mousavi had planned to attend today's rally in Tehran, but his house was surrounded by motorcycle-riding security forces this morning and he was prevented from leaving the premises.

Police brutality in a video that was purportedly filmed today in Tehran.



4:45 PM Tehran time - 1:15 PM GMT

Ahvaz
'The Russian embassy is the real den of spies' shout the protesters, using a phrase that the regime employs to describe the American embassy. 'We are Neda, we are Neda, we are all one voice!' Neda, the name of the famous protester killed in the regime's post-election crackdown, also means voice in Farsi. 


Tehran
Video allegedly from today: Protesters stand off against Basijis and shout, 'A green and flourishing Iran does not want the atom bomb!'



4:30 PM Tehran time - 1:00 PM GMT

Mashhad
Video allegedly from earlier today, Azad University, Mashhad.


Tehran
'Khamenei is a murderer, his leadership is canceled.' 'Cursed Jannati (Guardian Council chief), you're the enemy of the people.' 'Cannons, tanks, Kahrizak (detention center), no longer have any effect.'



4:15 PM Tehran time - 12:45 PM GMT

Shiraz
Footage purportedly from today in Mullah Sadra Street, Shiraz.


Tehran
Caller to ePersian radio turns out to be a regime goon. He says, 'The few thousand who came to the streets deserve respect, but what about the millions who didn't protest. They support the Islamic Republic regime. This is a democracy and the majority of millions who support this regime deserve respect.' The host of the program loudly berates him and says, 'If some people stay at home it's because you and your kind killed and raped their children. You come on this program and talk about democracy!? You don't know what democracy is. If you really mean what you say, let people come freely into the streets, without fear of a crackdown, and we'll see how many millions show up. You hide behind your telephone and give us lessons?'

'We don't want an atom bomb!'



4:00 PM Tehran time - 12:30 PM GMT

France has condemned the violence against protesters and the arbitrary arrests today, according to Le Figaro. Bernard Valero, spokesman of the French Foreign Ministry, made the declaration early in the afternoon. 'We condemn this new wave of violence and repression. We salute the courage of all those in Iran who fight peacefully for their fundamental rights,' said Valero.


3:40 PM Tehran time - 12:10 PM GMT

Tehran
Purportedly from earlier today, Karroubi arrives in one of the side streets leading to 7th Tir Square.


Protesters rushing towards Karroubi who can be seen at the start of the video.


Radio caller says that many friends have told him they will join protests once they leave their offices at the end of the work day.


3:30 PM Tehran time - 12:00 PM GMT

News channel France 24 is broadly reporting on the protests in Tehran today.

Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: I'm a 60-year-old woman, almost 60. I joined the demonstration early today and moved towards 7th Tir Square. There were so many protesters. They must have bought security forces from around Iran and they were merciless. I've gone to all the demonstrations and I've never seen such violence. We started chanting and they chased us down a dead end. We were all crushed together and the anti-riot forces shot something like 5 tear gas canisters into the alley. I thought my time was over and I would suffocate. Then the anti-riot forces came into the alley started beating us with their batons. I was hit on the waist and the mouth. Protesters were all over the city today. They would get beaten in one place, then they'd go to another crossroads and start chanting again. This regime must go! It pained me to see the young people struck like that. I'm going to rest, then I'll go out again, because the protests are going to pick up again at 4 PM.


3:15 PM Tehran time - 11:45 AM GMT

Tehran
Purportedly earlier today, Keshavarz Boulevard, north of Tehran University. 'Khamenei is a murderer, his leadership has been canceled!'



3:00 PM Tehran time - 11:30 AM GMT

Isfahan
Roads leading to Isfahan University are blocked by the police in an attempt to stop several groups of protesters from joining each other. Chants of 'Death to dictator' can be heard.

Zahedan
Several thousand green supporters gathered in Azadi Square. Several thousand students are also protesting in Sistan University.

Tehran
Clashes are reported on Ghaem Magham Farahani Street, where large numbers of protesters are responding to attacks of the security forces with rocks.

Street battles are also taking place on Vozara and Takhteh Tavous streets, according to several radio callers.

Protesters taunt riot police farther up Ghaem Magham Farahani Street. 'For Mousavi, raise your hands!'


Revolutionary Guards special forces on motorcycles prepare to charge down an avenue.


2:50 PM Tehran time - 11:20 AM GMT

Tehran
One of Mehdi Karroubi's bodyguards has been taken to the hospital, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.

Caller to ePersian radio: I'm on Azadi. This is hand-to-hand combat. We're at war with a filthy regime. Why don't our clerics say anything? The kids have decided to stay on the streets all day and tonight. Please tell people to bring water and food to the protesters.


2:40 PM Tehran time - 11:10 AM GMT

Tehran
'Obama, Obama, you're either with them or with us!'



2:30 PM Tehran time - 11:00 AM GMT

Various sources claim that security forces are resorting to even greater savagery than in the most violent days of the post-election crackdown.

Tehran
Habibollah Peyman, founder of the Combatant Muslims Movement and a leader of the Council of Nationalist Religious Forces, and his wife were so badly beaten by security forces that his head was broken during demonstrations today, per Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.

Al Arabiya reports that Basij forces have surrounded the home of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.


2:20 PM Tehran time - 10:50 AM GMT

Tehran
Protesters build fire against the effects of pepper gas.


Shiraz
Protesters are engaged in a violent game of cat and mouse with security forces in the streets of Shiraz, according to a caller to ePersian radio. 'The police don't know which neighborhood to run to and how to control the city.'


2:00 PM Tehran time - 10:30 AM GMT

Translation of an article in Tagheer, the news site of Mehdi Karroubi's Etemad Melli Party:
Thousands of Iranians who had convened in Hafteh Tir Square and intended to march to the former American embassy were savagely attacked by plainclothesmen and the special forces of the Revolutionary Guards.
Plainclothesmen and the special forces of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) assaulted the defenseless people of Iran with batons, tear gas, pepper gas, and shots fired into the air. 
According to witnesses, IRGC forces on foot and on motorcycles targeted the heads and faces of people who had only gathered to denounce domestic and foreign tyranny. 
In other parts of the city, including Motahari Street, Shahid Beheshti Street, Karim Khan Zand Street, Mofatteh Street, Azadi Square, the corner of Taleghani and Palestine streets, Nejat Elahi Street, and GHaem Magham Farahani Street, the people of Iran are currently chanting against tyranny and dictatorship. 
Although the state media have employed all their efforts to belittle the grandeur of the green nation of Iran, eyewitnesses understood the massive presence of green supporters of democracy against the club-wielding forces of dictatorship.


2:00 PM Tehran time - 10:30 AM GMT

Tehran
'Neither eastern, nor western, a green national government!' Purportedly earlier today, near Hafteh Tir Square.



1:45 PM Tehran time - 10:15 AM GMT

Tehran
Footage purportedly of earlier today, next to Hafteh Tir Square. Demonstrators are charged by riot police.



1:40 PM Tehran time - 10:10 AM GMT

Tehran
More footage purportedly from today. 'The Russian embassy is the real den of spies' in reference to the Islamic regime's habit of calling the US embassy a den of spies.


'The Russian embassy is the real den of spies' followed by the student protest anthem 'Yareh Dabestaniyeh Man' (My old schoolfriend)



1:30 PM Tehran time - 10:00 AM GMT

Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: I'm on Vali Asr Street. The security forces are beating people like animals, but the protesters are not backing down, especially the women. You should see how the women are raising a riot. 

Female caller on ePersian radio: I was injured in demonstrations this morning, but I'm going out again in a few minutes.

Photo purportedly of today's protests in Tehran.

1:20 PM Tehran time - 9:50 AM GMT

News outlets in Sweden and France are allegedly only showing footage of the official ceremonies today with regime supporters chanting 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel.'

Tehran
Caller to ePersian radio: Clashes are extremely violent on Vali Asr Street. Security forces and plainclothesmen are pitted against protesters who are defending themselves. Protesters are not afraid anymore.


1:15 PM Tehran time - 9:45 AM GMT

Shiraz
Over two dozen arrests so far. Protests are dispersed between two squares in the city, Alam and Pardis. Security forces and plainclothesmen savagely attacked protesters.

Tehran
Caller to ePersian radio: My sister was assaulted by plainclothesmen in Hafteh Tir Square. She came back home and rested, but now she's gone out again to protest.


1:00 PM Tehran time - 9:30 AM GMT

Tehran
Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, Mehdi Karroubi's son, spoke to Radio Farda: Mehdi Karroubi was present in Hafteh Tir Square. Police forces directly shot tear gas at him and his supporters. One of his bodyguards was injured on the head. Two other bodyguards were also wounded. Karroubi's face was slightly burned by the gas. He was not arrested. Karroubi and his family do not fear any outcome and are ready for the worst. The regime warned us that a suicide attack might take place against Karroubi and that he should not attend the rally. We declare that the regime will be held responsible for any assassination attempt against Karroubi.


12:45 PM Tehran time - 9:15 AM GMT

Tehran
Mehdi Karroubi was beaten by regime goons, but he was rescued by his bodyguards and taken away in his personal car, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.

Caller on ePersian radio: (In tears) Please help the people of Iran. My sister was in Hafteh Tir Square and was beaten by the security forces. She's at home now and not well. My sister is pious and wears a chador. She saw plainclothesmen throw youngsters to the ground and jump on their legs to break them.


12:30 PM Tehran time - 9:00 AM GMT

Tehran
People take shelter in a private home near Roosevelt Street.




12:30 PM Tehran time - 9:00 AM GMT

Tehran

The number of protesters is growing at the entrance of Tehran University. Large crowds building at Enghelab (Revolution) Square and Amirabad (Kargar Shomali) Street, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.


12:20 PM Tehran time - 8:50 AM GMT

Tehran
Security forces launch mass attack on protesters. Footage taken from pedestrian bridge in Karim Khan Zand Street, near 7th Tir Square.


12:12 AM Tehran time - 8:42 AM GMT

Tehran

First footage arriving from Hafteh Tir Square. Protesters chant 'Death to the dictator!' as they are harassed by security forces. 'Don't go into the side streets,' shouts one man.


12:10 PM Tehran time - 8:40 AM GMT

Shiraz
The crowd of protesters is growing by the minute in Daneshjou Square, per Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi's reporter on the ground.


12:05 PM Tehran time - 8:35 AM GMT

Tehran
Caller on ePersian Radio: Paint is being sprayed on protesters. Hafteh Tir Square and all incoming streets are teeming with people. It's beautiful to see this. Karroubi was beaten and perhaps arrested.

Caller says he personally saw Karroubi beaten on Modarres and that he was perhaps arrested.



11:55 AM Tehran time - 8:25 AM GMT

Tehran
Protesters have been arrested in Ferdowsi Square, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi's reporter on the ground.


11:45 AM Tehran time - 8:15 AM GMT

Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: I've taken shelter in someone's home near 25 Shahrivar Square. Security forces savagely assaulted protesters. Massive crowds on Vali Asr Square. Karroubi had to be taken away in his car by his bodyguards after attack by plainclothesmen. The official regime ceremonies have ended. Despite use of tear gas and disproportionate violence by security forces, protesters managed to defend themselves against security forces and also beat up Basijis.

Security forces are using parking lots of private buildings as holding areas.


11:40 AM Tehran time - 8:10 AM GMT

Tehran
New protest front is building up on Vali Asr Street. Takhteh Tavous Street has been completely closed off, according to caller on ePersian Radio.

Isfahan
Protest at Isfahan University, according to Al Arabiya.



11:30 AM Tehran time - 8:00 AM GMT

Tehran
Caller on ePersian radio: Crowd being dispersed on Taleghani Street.

Security forces opened fire on protesters on Hafteh Tir Square, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi's reporter on the ground. People are taking shelter in homes near 7th Tir Square and Karim Khan Zand Street.


11:20 AM Tehran time - 7:50 AM GMT

Tehran
Mehdi Karroubi has arrived at 7th Tir Square, according to Iran Press News.


11:15 AM Tehran time - 7:45 AM GMT

Tehran
Side streets near 7th Tir are being used as temporary holding areas. Protesters are arrested, blindfolded, and taken off on motorcycles, one plainclothesman driving, one behind the detainee. They are taken to the side streets near 7th Tir Square. Al-Javad mosque is being used as an HQ and holding area by security forces.

Shots fired into the air in Iranshahr Street, per caller on ePersian Radio. Large green banner held by protesters at the end of Karim Khan Zand Street. They are faced with a line of security forces.

Shiraz
Large crowds on Zand Street. Security forces are showing restraint.


11:05 AM Tehran time - 7:35 AM GMT

Tehran
Caller on ePersian Radio: Karroubi is moving down Ghoddousi, I think, towards Hafteh Tir Square with a very large number of supporters. Security forces are very savagely beating people in Hafteh Tir.


11:00 AM Tehran time - 7:30 AM GMT

Tehran
Caller on Radio Farda: Subway trains were not stopping at Hafteh Tir subway station. Passengers got off at Mofatteh St station, to go south from there. Passengers loudly chanted as they climbed the stairs to leave the station, but once outside they were confronted with very heavy security. However, crowd grew consistently and began moving south towards Hafteh Tir Sq. (In the background: Sounds of security officer shouting at protesters to leave.)


10:50 AM Tehran time - 7:20 AM GMT

Tehran
Karim Khan Zand Street, close to Hafteh Tir Square: Tear gas shot at people. Protesters attacked a group of a dozen Basijis, according to caller on ePersian Radio.

Security forces are beating protesters moving from Tehran University towards 7th Tir Square, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.


10:40 AM Tehran time - 7:10 AM GMT

Tehran
South of Hafteh Tir Square: Ten to 15 individuals arrested, according to a caller on ePersian Radio. She said that a woman was being beaten and security forces took away the mobile phone of an individual filming the incident.
But another caller on ePersian said that the police was not exercising any violence towards the opposition protesters.
Security forces initially surrounded Tehran University to block students inside, but the students broke through the cordon about an hour ago.


10:30 AM Tehran time - 7:00 AM GMT

Tehran
Tear gas fired in Hafteh Tir Square.
Students amassed at the entrance of Tehran University chanted 'Death to the dictator' and have started making their way towards official cortege moving from Tehran University Mosque along Taleghani Street, according to Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.
On ePersian Radio: Official chant-master shouts 'Death to America' through his loudspeaker, but crowd responds 'Death to Russia!'