TEHRAN - Police on Saturday arrested dozens of pro-clergy militants who smashed their way into university dormitories and beat up sleeping students in a wave of violence aimed at putting down protests against Iran's Islamic government.
| That's unusual, to say the least... |
The arrests appeared to be an attempt by Iran's ruling hard-line clerics to rein in their militant supporters, reflecting fears that the violence might only stoke the past week's anti-government protests, which were the largest in months.
| Afraid they're going to find a tipping point in their immediate future, are they? |
The Islamic regime is worried about alienating a restive public at a time when the United States has stepped up pressure against Tehran over its nuclear program and alleged links to the al-Qaeda terror network.
In Washington, the White House called on Iran to protect the human rights of the students. "The United States views with great concern the use of violence against Iranian students peacefully expressing their political views," spokesman Ari Fleischer said. "Iranians, like all people, have a right to determine their own destiny, and the United States supports their aspirations to live in freedom." The militants, who pledge allegiance to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, usually act with impunity, breaking up demonstrations and punishing protesters. |