Iran forces fire teargas, clash with protesters
Websites report security forces, people in civilian clothing confront demonstrators chanting 'death to dictator', demanding release of opposition leaders Mousavi, Karoubi. Netanyahu: West should deal with Iran like it deals with Libya
Iran's security forces fired teargas and clashed with opposition supporters in Tehran on Tuesday, where demonstrators were rallying to demand the release of two opposition leaders, according to an opposition website.
"Security forces and people in civilian clothes clashed with demonstrators in Tehran to disperse them," opposition website Kaleme reported.
According to unofficial reports, several hundred protestors were chanting "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Khamenei", referring to Iran's supreme leader.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire in a number of locations in Tehran.
The BBC said demonstrations were also taking place in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz and in Tabriz in the north.
Sahamnews, another opposition website, reported large numbers of security personnel stationed at main streets and squares in Tehran "to prevent gathering of opposition supporters."
Former presidential candidates Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi have not been seen in public since they called for a rally on Feb. 14, during which thousands of their supporters took to the streets to support uprisings in the Arab world.
Opposition websites had called for Tuesday's rally to demand their release.
Opposition website Sahamnews reported on Monday that Mousavi and Karoubi had been jailed along with their wives. Judiciary officials deny they have been jailed but say they have been kept at home and barred from contact with the outside world.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation in Iran and Libya on Tuesday, saying "Libya systematically violates human rights, and therefore deserves no immunity. Iran also systematically violates human rights and doesn't deserve any immunity either. If the international community applies special pressure on Libya and warns its soldiers and leaders over human rights violations, the same warning must be directed at Iran's leaders. If the international community is considering very forceful actions against Libya, these same measures must be taken against Iran as well."
Speaking during a visit to Nazareth Illit, the PM added, "While Gaddafi is slaughtering those who oppose him, the ayatollah regime in Iran is systematically executing its opposers. Therefore, the West's response should be equally firm in both places. I believe such a response would send a very clear message of encouragement and hope to the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom."
Roni Sofer contributed to the report
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