Protesters in Tehran took control of a Bassij base in Tehran’s Sadeghiye district, Al Arabiya TV reported. The protesters also demonstrated against the velayat-e faqih regime in Vali-e Asr Square in northern Tehran. Demonstrators in Tehran also set a police vehicle ablaze.
Citing sources inside Iran, Al Arabiya TV reported the Iranian regime issued high alert after one Bassij base was taken by youths in the Sadeghiye district, western Tehran. This incident took place after an explosion at a gasoline station rocked Tehran’s Azerbaijan Avenue.
The Iranian opposition had called on its supporters to stage demonstrations and follow the lead of the Syrian people. These sources told Al Arabiya youths in Tehran and numerous other cities across the country chanted ‘Death to Dictator’ and other slogans against Khamenei and Ahmadinejad.
“Youths say they want to turn Tehran into another Homs,” said Iran expert Nejah Mohammad Ali. “They say not only will we follow the lead of the Syrian revolution, but the Syrian revolution should also take lessons from them and as they have announced in their statements, they must overthrow the Iranian regime. These protests follow those that began in June 2009. Opposition forces, even those who support regime change in Iran through armed revolution, had called on their supporters on this day. This is a traditional ceremony that is celebrated annually.”