Tense Iran marks anniversay, confirms nuclear breakthrough
CNN 'Protests in Iran' Report. February 11, 2010 - Updated 1217 GMT
CNN Video report: Iran Demonstrator unafraid
Tehran , Iran (CNN) -- Attacks and clashes were reported in Iran 's capital Thursday as thousands of pro- and anti-government demonstrators took to the streets of Tehran
Pro-government supporters filled Azadi, or Freedom, Square in central Tehran to hear President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speak on the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, which toppled a Western-backed monarch and transformed Iran
In a speech that lasted more than an hour, Ahmadinejad confirmed that his country had now enriched uranium to 20 percent -- sufficient, scientists say, to create a nuclear reaction.
He added that Iran
Ahmadinejad also touched on familiar topics: He lashed out at the West, particularly the United States , and criticized its relationship with Iran 's rival, Israel
The crowd watched his speech and cheered. Many waved flags. Others carried placards bearing the images of the heroes of the Islamic Revolution.
Meanwhile, security forces, in uniform and in plainclothes, prevented opposition leaders and their followers -- the so-called Green Movement -- from reaching the square by firing on crowds in some areas and pepper-spraying demonstrators in others, opposition groups said.
Members of the Basij, the paramilitary force loyal to Iran's hard-line leadership, attacked a car carrying reformist leader Mehdi Karrubi as he went to meet supporters, his son Mohammad-Taghi Karrubi told CNN.
"We are completely disappointed at the behavior of the state today" he said. "At the same time we are hoping the situation will be changed and the people who are in power will change their behavior."
The militia broke a window in the car Karrubi was riding, an opposition Web site said. When he switched cars, that also was attacked. The leader, who ran against Ahmadinejad in June's presidential election, escaped unhurt.
The Raheh Sabz Web site said plainclothed policemen arrested Karrubi's son Ali, as he tried to protect his father's car. Ali Karrubi is the third of the leader's four sons.
Plainclothed security forces also attacked former president and reformist leader Mohammad Khatami's vehicle as he headed to Azadi Square, opposition Web sites said.
The forces used tear gas and batons to attack Khatami's supporters, forcing him to abort a plan to walk to the square with followers, Raheh Sabz said.
Two reformist figures, Mohammad Reza Khatami -- the brother of the former president with a similar name -- and his wife, Zahra Eshraghi, were arrested, opposition groups also said.
Iran has imposed tight restrictions on foreign reporters covering the anniversary, busing them to and from Ahmadinejad's speech to prevent them from reporting on skirmishes on the streets.
CNN has not been able to independently confirm the opposition reports.
At Aria-Shahr square in western Tehran and in various parts of the city, security forces fired on and tear-gassed demonstrators who chanted "Death to the dictator," and "Death to (Supreme Leader Ayatollah) Khamenei." Undeterred, the demonstrators chanted on.
"We are hoping the situation will be changed and the people who are in power will change their behavior.
--Mohammad-Taghi Karrubi
Many of them wore masks or handkerchiefs over their faces.
Iranian authorities had warned that they would arrest and detain demonstrators until April if they take to the streets.
The precautions were meant to prevent a repeat of overt anti-government displays on other key occasions that have embarrassed and inflamed Iranian authorities.
Earlier in the day, pickups roamed the streets of Tehran, blaring pro-government slogans and songs from speakers, a witness said.
Since a disputed presidential election in June, anti-government protesters have turned public gatherings into rallies against hard-liner Ahmadinejad, who was declared the overwhelming winner of the race.
Police have responded to such demonstrations with mass arrests, denouncing protesters as anti-Islamic and against the revolution.
Late December saw the deadliest clashes since the initial protests broke out last summer. At least seven people were killed and hundreds arrested as they took to the streets on the holy day of Ashura, on December 27, witnesses said.
The Iranian government has denied that its security forces killed anyone and has blamed reformists for the violence. Police arrested 4,000 people in the post-election crackdown.
Two men have been executed for participating in the demonstrations, and 10 have been sentenced to death and await appeal.
Residents in the Iranian capital said Wednesday that text messages on many messaging services have been blocked and Internet speeds have slowed to a crawl.
Human rights groups and opposition Web sites also have reported widespread arrests targeting journalists.
According to the Paris-based journalism watchdog Reporters Without Borders, at least eight journalists were arrested Sunday and Monday, bringing the total number of reporters now in prison to at least 65.
CNN's Reza Sayah contributed to this report
