Large crowds in Iran mourned the death of dissident cleric Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in December 2009. On Ashoura, Iranian protesters held anti-government rallies in Tehran that turned violent as protesters clashed with police. Several protesters and police officers were killed or injured in the clashes, with protesters beating and setting fire to police motorcycles. In response, government supporters held large pro-government rallies across major Iranian cities.

1. THREE DAYS IN IRAN DECEMBER 2009

2. Iranians follow a truck transporting the coffin of dissident cleric Ayatollah Hossein Ali Mintazeri in the Shi'ite holy city of Qom, Iran on December 21, 2009. Large crowds of mourners chanted anti-government slogans during the funeral of Iran's leading dissident cleric Montazeri in the holy city of Qom

3. Pro-reform Iranians hold up photographs and green banners as they attend the funeral ceremony of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, in the city of Qom, Iran, Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.

4. Iranian protesters hold a rally on the Shi'ite mourning day of Ashoura in central Tehran, Iran on December 27, 2009.

5. Iranian riot police officers on their bikes during anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

6. Iranian riot police officers carrying stones and batons follow protesters, during an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

7. A teargas canister, fired towards Iranian opposition supporters, is thrown back during clashes with security forces in Tehran on December 27, 2009

8. Iranian security forces on motorcycles surround opposition protesters during clashes in Tehran on December 27, 2009.

9. Iranian opposition supporters beat police forces during clashes in central Tehran December 27, 2009.

10. An Iranian protester flashes the victory sign during anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

11. Iranian protesters flash the victory sign, as they cover their faces to avoid to be identified by security during anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

12. Police motorcycles burn as an Iranian opposition protester aims a stone at security forces trapped against storefronts by a crowd during clashes in Tehran on December 27, 2009

13. A protester throws a stone at riot police as protesters set their motorbikes on fire during fierce clashes in central Tehran, Iran on December 27, 2009.

14. A dead body of a man who allegedly was shot during anti-government protest at the Enqelab (Revolution) St. in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

15. Iranian protesters take a policeman away to a safe place after he was beaten by angry protesters during fierce clashes in central Tehran December 27, 2009.

16. Injured members of an Iranian security service sit protected by Iranian opposition supporters during clashes with security forces in Tehran on December 27, 2009

17. An Iranian riot police officer, centre, is held aloft by protesters as they put a green scarf, a symbolic colour of the opposition, on his head after their clash during anti-government protest at the Enqelab (Revolution) St. in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009.

18. Iranian protesters shout during clashes in central Tehran December 27, 2009.

19. An Iranian opposition supporter gestures during clashes with security forces in Tehran on December 27, 2009.

20. Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi (centre) receives condolences for the death of his nephew Seyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi in Tehran. Seyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi, the 35-year-old nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, was shot dead in Tehran during protests on December 27 which turned into the bloodiest showdown between opposition protesters and security forces in months. Iranian police said on December 29 that "terrorists" killed the nephew of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi in an incident unrelated to anti-government riots.

21. A supporter of the Iranian government waves the flag of Iran as he takes part in a protest against the opposition demonstration during holy day of Ashoura in Tehran December, 30 2009. The demonstration in Tehran's Enghelab square was one of several massive rallies in major Iranian cities, called for by clerics, seminary schools and the armed forces in response to a string of opposition protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed June re-election

22. Pro-government Iranian demonstrators gather in a rally at the Enqelab (Revolution) Sq. In Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009.

23. Pro-government Iranian demonstrators gather in a rally at the Enqelab (Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009.

24. Government supporters hold placards and pictures of Iran's late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in protest against opposition demonstrations during Ashoura in Tehran December 30, 2009.

25. Supporters of Iran's regime carry a banner of the US, UK and Israeli flags as they take to the streets in Tehran on December 30, 2009.

26. THE END Press ‘Esc’ To Exit