Demonstrators condemn Western plots against Iran

IRAN: A massive pro-regime turnout in Tehran condemned on Wednesday what the participants called “ Western plots” against their country, state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Thousands of Iranians broke into streets across the country protesting Sunday anti-regime protests and what they described as “plots against the territorial integrity, national interests and the Islamic Republic”.

People gathered in Tehran’s Enghelab (Revolution) square and nearby streets chanting slogans against the United States, Israel and opposition leaders.

The demonstrators who expressed support to the Islamic Republic and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged officials to all people involved in “the riots.”

Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated accusations against some Western countries in fomenting the unrest in Iran.

Talking to reporters following a cabinet meeting, Ahmadinejad said the interference of “foreign powers” in his country’s domestic affairs has no influence on Iranians, warning that “ attempts by the U.S. and certain European states to create tension in the Islamic Republic is repetition of their past mistakes,” the report said.

“Leaders of those countries should know that their efforts will have no impact on the stands, ideas and progressive movements of the Iranian people.

“It is hard for them to sow discord among the Iranian people by making hue and cry,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Iranian president described Sunday’s protests as a “play staged by Israel and the United States.”

“Iranians have seen more of such plays. Zionists (Israel) and Americans, the commissioners of those plays, would be the sole audience,” he said.

Dubbing the protests as “nauseating play,” Ahmadinejad strongly criticized stances adopted by U.S. President Barack Obama and the British government over the recent protests in Tehran. “We have advised them several times, but they are insisting to experience the contempt,” he said.

Sporadic clashes have erupted in Tehran on Sunday in coincidence with Ashura Day, a ceremonial day celebrated by Shiites worldwide. Eight protestors were killed in the incident according to a statement by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Ahmadi-Moqaddam confirmed that police arrested about 500 protestors in Tehran on Sunday, adding that some other protestors were detained by the intelligent agents. Tehran, Thursday, Xinhua