6:40 PM (Tehran Time)

I will stop liveblogging now. There are still reports of small protests in Tehran and other cities, but people are largely returning home. Here’s a brief summary of the day’s events in Iran:

I can so far confirm green protests in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad and Ahvaz. I can partially confirm a protest in Tabriz. I cannot say anything about numbers, but violence broke out in every city where I can confirm a protest. Dozens were arrested in Tehran – possibly hundreds. 100 people were arrested in Mashhad and about two dozen were arrested in Shiraz and Isfahan respectively.

Oppostion leaders:

Mousavi: Attended, but forced to leave.

Rahnavard: Was attacked, forced to leave.

Karroubi: Attacked, forced to leave.

Khatami: Attacked, forced to leave.

Video of the day:

I will write a more complete report in a few hours. Good night and good luck, until then.

6:33 PM (Tehran Time)

Mir Hossein Mousavi attempted to take part in the protests in Tehran today. He was on Azadi Avenue, headed towards Azadi Square when security forces intercepted and surrounded him near the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs. He was forced to return home.

Dr. Zahra Rahnavard, Mousavi’s wife, was attacked in Tehran today as well as she joined green protesters. She was beaten with batons and kicked by security forces even though pro-green protesters tried to protect her by surrounding her. She left the protest for home soon after.

6:23 PM (Tehran Time)

Protester being beaten in Tehran by riot police:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kSBWG2rBV8

6:12 PM (Tehran Time)

As reports of clashes from Tehran continue to arrive, there are more reports of the number of arrests in the city. According to reliable sources, dozens have been arrested in Tehran, however, the real number might be in the hundreds. So far, people continue to stay on the streets of Tehran and are chanting anti-government slogans.

There are no real number of casualties from the streets in Tehran. There are reports of brutal clashes from many parts of the city, though.

4:41 PM (Tehran Time)

Part of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech in Azadi Square:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Wv1tiaiC4

4:30 PM (Tehran Time)

Another very interesting video from Tehran has arrived. Protesters are shown kicking and tearing a picture of Khamenei and chanting, “Death to the Dictator”:

4:15 PM (Tehran Time)

Two new videos of Greens in Tehran from Jaras:

In the second video, you can hear the loudspeakers broadcasting passionate speeches about the Islamic Revolution:

4:08 PM (Tehran Time)

Reports coming out of Iran are very scarce today indeed. However, it has been reported that the security forces’ treatment of green supporters has been one of the most bloody in the past few months. Enduring America reports that, [In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Hossein Karroubi declared, “I witnessed the most brutal treatment of people in the past eight months today."]

Here is a video of tear gas and smoke in Tehran amidst the protesters:

4:06 PM (Tehran Time)

A reported video from Isfahan of the protests and government rallies:

4:00 PM (Tehran Time)

In Mashhad, security forces have arrested at least 100 people from different parts of the city who were taking part in protests in support of the Green Movement. Clashes were mainly centered around Taghi-abad Square where people wanted to gather. Security forces tried to beat people and prevent them from forming crowds.

3:56 PM (Tehran Time)

In Tehran, clashes have now also been reported from the northern part of the city. According to reliable reports, people were beaten and several were arrested at Vanak Square. This adds to dozens who have already been arrested from Tehran. Clashes were also reported from Kargare Shomali Avenue.

There were also reports that near Laleh Park, security forces shot at people with paint guns so they could later be identified and arrested.

3:44 PM (Tehran Time)

In Shiraz, at least twenty people were arrested after taking part in protests in support of the Green Movement. There were injuries or deaths reported, however, small clashes are said to have taken place between security forces and protesters.

3:34 PM (Tehran Time)

In Ahvaz, people marched through Salman Farsi Avenue towards Abadan Square. People also marched from Hosseiniyae Azam through Taleghani Avenue towards Naderi Square. They are chanting “Death to the Dictator”. Security forces have blocked Behbahani Boulevard and are preventing people’s movement. Scattered groups are also protesting in other parts of the city.

3:30 PM (Tehran Time)

Protests in Isfahan can now be confirmed. Thousands of people reportedly gathered in the city in support of the Green Movement. People mostly gathered on both sides of Si o Se Pol. People chanted ‘Allah o Akbar’ and ‘Ya Hossein; Mir Hossein’. Clashes were reported from Isfahan. Tear gas was also used and security forces fired shots in the air in order to try and disperse the crowds.

At least five people were reportedly arrested.

3:24 PM (Tehran Time)

People throwing stones at Basijis and chanting “Death to the Dictator”:

3:07 PM (Tehran Time)

Video of Basijis attacking people in Tehran:

1:10 PM (Tehran Time)

Another video from the Metro in Tehran:

1:07 PM (Tehran Time)

New video from protests at Vesal Street in Tehran:

1:00 PM (Tehran Time)

Reformist news site Jaras reports that Rafsanjani joined the rallies in Tehran. Likely, he joined the government-sponsored rallies. People reportedly chanted, “Hashemi, Hashemi; insight, insight”.

12:50 PM (Tehran Time)

Another video from today in Tehran in a metro station:

12:47 PM (Tehran Time)

Another video from today in Tehran. This time from inside a bus:

12:33 PM (Tehran Time)

First video of the day from Metro Station in Sadeghie. People are chanting “Referendum, Referendum; this is people’s slogan”:

12:30 PM (Tehran Time)

It has now been confirmed that Karroubi’s son and bodyguards were arrested, but bodyguards were later released by security forces in Tehran. Karroubi’s son Ali has been released too now.

12:22 PM (Tehran Time)

Here is a map of where the protests are taking place in Tehran right now: http://twitpic.com/12jjew

12:18 PM (Tehran Time)

Here’s an impromptu translation of Ahmadinejad’s full speech in Tehran from today. As usual, he just blames the rest of the world for everything: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/8b41g

12:15 PM (Tehran Time)

There are now unconfirmed reports of a protest in clashes in Shiraz.

12:10 PM (Tehran Time)

There are reports that thousands of people have gathered in Isfahan in support of the green movement. This can be confirmed through at least two sources.

12:00 PM (Tehran Time)

Reports confirm that security forces shot at people at Aryashahr/Sadeghie a short while ago. There are no reports on the casualties.

11:54 AM (Tehran Time)

Multiple sources have now confirmed that Reza Khatami and his wife Zahra Ishraghi – who is Imam Khomeini’s grand daughter – were released after a brief detention. Full confirmation is going to come in a short while.

11:30 AM (Tehran Time)

Multiple sources have now confirmed that former President Mohammad Khatami’s brother, Reza Khatami, and Reza’s wife Zahra Isghraghi have been arrested.

11:23 AM (Tehran Time)

Reports now indicate that after the attacks, both Karroubi and Khatami have gone home. However, in disturbing news, several people have been arrested in Tehran. Among the people arrested is Karroubi’s son, Ali Karroubi. This has been confirmed by several sources now.

11:18 AM (Tehran Time)

There are now reports that Khatami’s car was attacked by security forces in Tehran. So far, there is little to confirm this. Details coming in.

11:12 AM (Tehran Time)

Karroubi’s son has confirmed the attack on his father’s car in Sadeghie. In other news, former President Mohammad Khatami also joined the celebrations of 22 Bahman – not the protests – according to Parlemaan News, which is considered close to the reformist leader.

10:53 AM (Tehran Time)

Reliable sources confirm that opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi has been injured. Reportedly, his head was bleeding as he was rushed out of Azadi Square by his entourage. (Read below for further information regarding the attack on Karroubi.)

10:50 AM (Tehran Time)

A reliable source reports that there are now clashes in both Sadeghie and Enghelab Squares. According to the source, tear gas has been liberally used by the security forces at Enghelab Square in Tehran. The air around that part of the city is still filled with the gas and protesters have been beaten.

10:44 AM (Tehran Time)

Confirmation of a very important development is at hand. Reportedly, Mehdi Karroubi’s car was attacked as he arrived in Sadeghie in Tehran. The windows of his car were broken, he was beaten and had to flee. Several reliable sources have confirmed this. In other reports, people are chanting “Marg bar Dictator” (Down with the Dictator) in Azadi Square, Tehran.

10:34 AM (Tehran Time)

IRIB shows supposed video of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Azadi Square. Notice how the audio has been turned off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0P629e7vGk

10:28 AM (Tehran Time)

It has now been confirmed by several reliable sources that Ahmadinejad is at Azadi Square in Tehran indeed. Although, there is no footage available showing Iran’s president there.

10:21 AM (Tehran Time)

Apparently the government-run media in Iran is showing doctored from previous public gatherings in order to block out green protesters from the TV screen. Here’s a purported video from IRIB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLJ8eMFyxHs

10:03 AM (Tehran Time)

There are reports that clashes have begun between security forces and protesters in Central Tehran – mainly in Sadeghie, where Mehdi Karroubi is expected to arrive within a short while. This could not be confirmed through other sources yet. There are now also reports that there have been clashes at Azadi Square in Central Tehran.

9:54 AM (Tehran Time)

Balatarin.com reports that internet access in Tehran has become extremely slow. So far there are no videos, pictures or audio of protests inside Iran. There are new reports that people have started chanting at Azadi Square.

9:36 AM (Tehran Time)
Opposition websites report that Basijis have gathered in different parts of Tehran to stop protesters and disperse them. Reports add that hundreds have gathered in Kargare Shomali Avenue, Amirabad Avenue and in front of the IRIB – the main government-run broadcasting service. PressTV also confirms riot trucks being deployed in Tehran.

9:24 AM (Tehran Time)

There are more reports that protesters have gathered in Tabriz. I can so far not confirm this fully. There are also unconfirmed reports that the Iranian government-run media is not showing live footage of today’s commemoration of the revolution ceremonies. This is possibly because there are too many protesters and the government does not wish to show that to the general populace, especially in the villages. Also reports that some protesters have started taking down loudspeakers installed on street lights poles to broadcast government speeches. This could not be confirmed yet.

A video of those loudspeakers in Tehran:

9:20 AM (Tehran Time)

More sources are confirming now that people have started to converge upon the central part of Tehran. The numbers are as expected much higher than the expectation of the government. In some areas, there are already more people than security available to control or disperse them. Crowds have already gathered at Azadi Square and more are supposedly headed towards the other main squares in the city.

9:17 AM (Tehran Time)

Crowds in Tehran are slowly coming out. People are generally headed in the direction of the central part of the city which has seen protests in the past. People are reportedly also gathering at Sadeghie Square where opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi has said he will join the crowds. So far, there is no news whether he will indeed join the protesters. There is also no confirmation whether Mir Hossein Mousavi – the main opposition leader – or former President Mohammad Khatami will be joining the protesters.

9:12 AM (Tehran Time)

Tehran – especially the central part of the city – is slowly being packed by security forces. According to partially confirmed reports, riot trucks have also started to arrive in the central part of the city where most of the protesters are expected to gather.

9:07 AM (Tehran Time)

EPersian Radio, a private radio operating from the United States, has the first substantial news of the day. According to EPersian, people have already started to gather on the streets of Central Tabriz. This could not be immediately confirmed through our other sources. According to EPersian, people are chanting, “Today is the day of blood; Yazid will be overthrown”.

7:00 AM (Tehran Time)

Iran is commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that changed the shape of the country and brought in an oppressive theocratic regime – headed by conservative Shi’ite clerics. The opposition Green Movement has planned massive protests for today throughout the country. I’ll be liveblogging the events starting in a little over an hour from now.

The only news coming in at this point is that Tehran and other parts of the country are currently under tight security by the police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. People have not showed up yet because it is too early in the morning. Protesters should start coming out onto streets in a couple of hours. I will be updating and tweeting simultaneously as the protests happen through the day.