At least eight people have been killed in Monday's mass demonstrations in Tehran against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Earlier, Iranian state radio had announced the deaths of seven people, which, they say, came when "thugs" attacked a military post.

Despite a demonstration ban, hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets of the capital in a public outpouring of anger  reminiscent of the 1979 marches of the Islamic revolution. Protesters set tyres, dustbins and motorbikes ablaze. The violence flared after defeated opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi appeared in public for the first time since the election and addressed the crowds.

Demonstrations in support of  Mr Mousavi were also held in various cities through the country, including the cities of Rasht and Tabriz north of Tehran. Violence was also reported at a demonstration in the southern city of Shiraz.

Iran is facing an international backlash over its crackdown against the opposition protesters and the election itself. The EU has called for an inquiry into the conduct of the election. US President Barack Obama, who is open to  dialogue with Iran after three decades of hostility, said he was "deeply troubled" by the violence.

Photo by Steve Rhodes (Flickr)