BICOM

Pro-reform websites in Iran reported yesterday that thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tehran and other Iranian cities to protest against the government. The protesters were demonstrating against the regime’s treatment of opposition leaders and demanded the release of opposition leaders Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi who have not been seen in public since 14 February. Iranian security forces clashed with protesters and dispersed the crowd by firing teargas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the international community yesterday to take strong action against Libya and Iran. Responding to the Iranian crackdown, Netanyahu said the world must act against Iran as it is currently acting against Libya.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday that Iran was taking advantage of the Middle East protests taking place in order to position itself as a stronger power in the region. Clinton said that the US needed to maintain robust presence in the region to prevent a power vacuum and stop Iran from using regional instability to its advantage.