IRAN: A hardline militia organisation vowed to defend Iran's Islamic establishment yesterday as authorities tried to snuff out pro-democracy protests that have lasted nine nights and been applauded loudly by Washington.
The Basij militia of Tehran said in a statement that the protests against clerical rule had been provoked by the "Great Satan", Washington, which was using its "mercenaries" to challenge Iran's Islamic leaders, the official IRNA news agency reported.
"We pledge to defend the sacred Islamic establishment and its achievements as we would our own lives, and will never cease this sacred battle even for a moment," the statement said.
The Basij, fiercely loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and trained and equipped by the Revolutionary Guards, were out in force in several areas of Tehran on Wednesday night as the protests appeared to be running out of steam.
In the working-class eastern suburb of Tehran Pars, riot police stood at key intersections and hardline militants scrutinised the occupants of hundreds of cars carrying would-be protesters.
"It's like martial law. You're scared to go anywhere at night in case they stop you and search you," one man said, as he edged his car nervously through the traffic under the watchful gaze of the bearded militants.
A Reuters correspondent saw one young man being led by Iranian riot police towards a pick-up truck, where other detainees were already lying down in the back.More than 300 people have been arrested in the capital since the protests began.
The heavy security presence appeared to be working. The occasional rhythmic blaring of car horns was the only sign of protest and even that was rare.
One police officer held a handful of car licence plates, apparently confiscated from drivers who had been too heavy-handed with their horns.- (Reuters)