SECURITY forces and militiamen clashed with thousands of protesters shouting “death to the dictator” outside Tehran University yesterday, beating them with batons and firing tear gas on a day of nationwide student demonstrations, witnesses said.

HUNDREDS of young men and women chanted “Death to the dictator”, confronting police wielding batons and firing tear gas in the capital yesterday as opposition activists sought to revive street protests despite authorities’ vows to “smash” any new marches.