TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran is seeing its first major anti-government demonstration in nearly two months. It coincides with the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
Iranian security forces beat the protesters with batons on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies.
The opposition is seeking to display unity and resolve after relentless crackdowns on their protests following the disputed June presidential election.
The contrasts in the latest protest wave were stark: people chanted "Death to America" outside the former American Embassy while hundreds of opposition marchers denounced President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with cries of "Death to the Dictator."
The hostage crisis that began on this date in 1979 resulted in 52 Americans being held for 444 days. They were released in January 1981.
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