Khatami attacked, Ahmadinejad denies Holocaust

Iran security forces clashed with supporters of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi and arrested at least 10 of them during annual anti-Israel rallies in central Tehran on Friday, a witness said.

"Security forces just arrested over 10 people," the witness said. "They are pushing protesters and beating them."  

Iranian authorities, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had warned the opposition against turning anti-Israel rallies to street protests against the clerical establishment. Defeated presidential candidates Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi said they would attend the rally.

According to one report, former Iranian President Muhammad Khatami was attacked by the Basij, the popular militia supporting Ahmadinejad. He was not injured.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered a speech at Tehran University, hinting once again that the Holocaust never took place.

According to him, "If the Holocaust was planned by the West, why won't you allow any research on the Holocaust? The Holocaust has turned into a black box and they won't let anyone open it and examine it… If this is such an important event, why won't you let us reveal the reality to the entire world?"

'Zionists greatest criminals in history'

Ahmadinejad reiterated his past "proposal", to have the Jews immigrate to other country. "Why don't they immigrate to Canada or the United States? They can go live in other countries. The Palestinian people don’t have to pay for your crime. What is the Palestinians' sin?

"The Zionists are the greatest criminals in history. Resisting the Zionists is a national duty and a religious commandment and a human duty. The Zionist regime is a tree with rotten roots," Ahmadinejad said.

He added, "It's clear that this fake regime was established for colonialist goals, and there is no logic behind its establishment." The crowd responded by chanting, "Death to Israel."

Mousavi supporters (Photo: AFP)

Thousands of supporters of Mousavi, wearing green wristbands or shawls, were among the crowds marching in the "Qods (Jerusalem) Day" rallies held nationwide every year on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

"Death to the dictators," and "Not Gaza, Not Lebanon, We are ready to die for Iran," chanted protesters.

"Supporters of Ahmadinejad are beating supporters of (opposition leader Mirhossein) Mousavi near the Vali-ye Asr street (in central Tehran). At least two protesters were injured," the witness said.

According to the IRNA news agency, Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal and Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ramadan Salah, arrived in Tehran to take part in the government-organized procession.

Iran's June presidential election, which was followed by huge opposition protests, plunged Iran into political turmoil and exposed deepening divisions within its ruling elites.

The opposition leaders say the poll was rigged to secure President Ahmadinejad's reelection. The authorities deny it.