TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian police warned the opposition today not to hold protests this week that would coincide with annual state-sponsored demonstrations against the United States.
The warning comes days after two opposition leaders suggested they will call their supporters to the streets Wednesday, in what was seen as an attempt to reinvigorate their movement after a harsh crackdown killed dozens of protesters in postelection turmoil over the summer.
Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by militant students following the Islamic Revolution — a day that typically draws thousands to the streets of Tehran.
Tehran’s acting police chief, Gen. Ahmad Reza Radan, warned today against any “illegal gatherings.”
“Those who deceitfully invite and encourage people and youngsters to an illegal gathering should be held accountable for their actions,” Radan was quoted as saying on Iran’s official news agency, IRNA. Hard-liners already have called on security forces to take tough action against any opposition rally that day.
Calls to the opposition were not immediately returned today.
Thousands of people were arrested in a heavy crackdown this summer that crushed mass protests in support of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who claims the June 12 disputed presidential election was stolen through massive vote fraud. Dozens were killed in the crackdown.
It was the country’s worst unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Today, authorities also closed down a business newspaper known for criticizing the government.
The Culture Ministry ordered the newspaper closed because its content strayed from the business field, reported IRNA.
The Sarmayeh newspaper was known for carrying articles critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s economic policies, which they say have impoverished the country.
Since 2000 more than 100 newspapers and periodicals were banned in Iran, mostly on security charges.
Also today, state television reported that the Iranian intelligence service arrested five “terrorist” suspects who allegedly planned to assassinate an official and confiscated weapons belonging to the group.
The report did not provide details, but it cited the intelligence service as saying the group had also planned an attack in early September to instigate more post-election turmoil.
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