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Iranian protesters gather in Tehran
Top story: Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Iranon Monday, forming the largest anti-regime protests since Iranian officials crushed the reformist Green Movementin December 2009. The demonstrations were the latest instance of the wave of popular anger that has recently swept the Middle East, toppling the governments in Egypt and Tunisia and recently threatening the stability of Yemen and Bahrain.
Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Moussavi called for the protest more than a week ago. However, he and fellow opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi were placed under house arrest days earlier in order to prevent their participation in the protest.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised the protests in Iran, saying that U.S. policymakers "support the aspirations" of the demonstrators. "We wish the opposition and the brave people in the streets across cities in Iran the same opportunity that they saw their Egyptian counterparts seize in the last week," she said.
The protests in Iran focused on Azadi Square, in the center of Tehran. Police presence was light early in the day, allowing demonstrators to gather en masse. But by night, members of the Basij militia reportedly beat protesters to force them to disperse.
Egyptian military tries to restore normality: Egypt's Supreme Military Council, which took the reins of power following former President Hosni Mubarak's resignation,tried to contain growing protests among workers for higher wages and improved conditions.
