Few arrests after Tehran opposition protests

TEHRAN’S police chief said that few arrests were made in opposition protests that erupted a day earlier in the Iranian capital in an opposition attempt to revive street demonstrations over the country’s disputed election.

The lack of an overwhelming crackdown — despite authorities’ vows to “smash” anyone who joined the marches — could suggest the country’s leadership is hoping Thursday’s protests would be a one-time event.

Several thousand demonstrators marched down Tehran’s main avenues in Thursday’s protests, chanting “down with the dictator” and slogans in support of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the pro-reform candidate. He contends he was defrauded of victory in June 12 presidential elections that showed a landslide victory for incumbent hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and was declared valid by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.