Hundreds of thousands of pro-government demonstrators gathered in the central square of Tehran today to mark the 31st anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.

Iranian security forces stormed a series of opposition offices today, rounding up at least seven prominent anti-government activists in a new crackdown against the country’s reformist movement, opposition websites and activists reported.

US-backed Iraqi troops killed 250 insurgents allegedly plotting to kill pilgrims at a major Shiite Muslim religious festival during a day-long battle near Najaf.