Qods Day in Iran showcase for opposition

TEHRAN, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Supporters of the Iranian opposition used an annual show of Palestinian solidarity Friday to chant anti-government slogans amid a tight security presence.

State-funded broadcaster Press TV reported that millions took to the streets Friday for Qods Day, with several chanting slogans in support of Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.

Press TV reported the opposition rallies went forward despite warnings from authorities against illegal gatherings.

Mousavi, a former prime minister and defeated presidential candidate, was forced to scrap plans to join the rallies when his vehicle came under attack. Mohammad Khatami, an opposition supporter and former president, was escorted to safety by riot police when he was allegedly assaulted by supporters of the conservative regime, London's Guardian newspaper reports.

Hojatolleslam Sayyed Hassan Khomeini, grandson of Supreme Leader Ali Khomeini, led opposition supporters, calling the events "a day for the oppressed to resist against the oppressors."

"Angry" supporters of Iranian President Ahmadinejad led rival demonstrations against the opposition figures as they fled the rally, state-controlled news agencies in Iran report.

Iran witnessed some of its most violent demonstrations in the wake of the disputed June 12 presidential election, leading to a so-called green revolution. Slogans in opposition to the clerical leadership were largely unheard of prior to the new phase of dissent in Iran.