An Iranian opposition website says security forces have used force to break up protests by supporters of late dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri.
The clashes allegedly took place in at least two cities, Isfahan and Najafabad. Police used teargas and batons to disperse the demonstrators, injuring many and making several arrests. There is no independent confirmation of the claims.
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, who died on Sunday aged 87, was one of the main architects of the 1979 revolution but later fell from grace after criticising the mass execution of prisoners. He turned against the regime and became the spiritual leader of the opposition. He denounced Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's reelection as president as fraudulent.
When he was buried in the holy city of Qom on Monday, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets chanting anti-government slogans.
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Iran’s most senior dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, has died at the age of 87, providing a fresh catalyst for renewed demonstrations against the country’s hardline leadership.
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