Iranians mark festival despite police presence

Iranians on Tuesday celebrated an ancient national festival despite the heavy presence of security forces to discourage anti-government protests.

Police chiefs had warned the opposition against using Chaharshanbeh Soori, held a few days before the start of the Iranian New Year on March 21, as an opportunity to organise protests. Some opposition websites reported sporadic clashes between opposition supporters and police in several parts of Tehran and elsewhere but the reports could not be independently confirmed. (AP)