Thousands protest in Iran, defying crackdown vow

Tehran: Thousands of protesters streamed down avenues of the capital Thursday, chanting "death to the dictator" and defying security forces.

The first opposition foray into the streets in 11 days aimed to revive mass demonstrations that were crushed in Iran's post-election turmoil.

Iranian authorities had promised tough action to prevent the marches, which supporters of opposition leader Mir Hussain Mousavi have been planning for days in internet messages.

Heavy police forces deployed at key points in the city ahead of the marches, and Tehran's governor vowed to "smash" anyone who heeded the demonstration calls.

In some places, police struck hard. Security forces chased after protesters, beating them with clubs on Valiasr Street, Tehran's biggest north-south avenue, witnesses said.

Women in headscarves and young men dashed away, rubbing their eyes as police fired tear gas, in footage aired on state-run Press TV.

At Tehran University, a line of police blocked a crowd from reaching the gates of the campus, but then did not move to disperse them.