200 arrests at Iran protests

IRAN threatened tougher action against protesters yesterday after more than 200 were arrested during marches by tens of thousands at universities across the country, the biggest anti-government rallies in months.

The warning suggested that Monday’s unrest raised authorities’ concern that the protest movement could pick up new steam. The protests turned into fierce clashes between youths throwing stones and riot police.

Demonstrators broke the biggest taboo in Iran — burning pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and chanting slogans against him.