Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi gather on the streets of Tehran, Iran to demonstrate against the results of the Iranian presidential election on June 18, 2009. (UPI Photo) | License Photo

Supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi carry an injured man off the street in Tehran, Iran to demonstrate against the results of the Iranian presidential election on June 18, 2009. (UPI Photo) | License Photo

An Iranian worshiper uses a picture of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi as his prayer rug while other pray during Friday Prayer in Tehran, Iran on June 19, 2009. I(UPI Photo/Hossein Fatemi) | License Photo

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during Friday Prayer in Tehran, Iran on June 19, 2009. Khamenei warned protesters of a crackdown and said the presidential elections were fair. (UPI Photo/Kamenei Office/HO) | License Photo

TEHRAN, June 20 (UPI) -- At least 19 people were killed Saturday in clashes between police and protesters in Tehran, hospital sources told CNN.

CNN said there were unconfirmed reports the death toll was much higher, at least 150. Video posted on the Web showed police using nightsticks, water cannon, tear gas and fire hoses, with some footage of protesters who looked like they had been shot.


The massive protests occurred despite a warning Friday from Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and other anti-government leaders could be held liable for any damage done by demonstrators.

Most of the demonstrations since the government proclaimed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had defeated Mousavi 2-1 in last week's presidential election have been peaceful. On Saturday, some protesters fought back when police confronted them, witnesses told The New York Times.

Press TV, a government-run broadcaster, reported the government saying 300 police officers had been injured. Brig. Gen. Ahmad-Reza Radan, the acting police chief, told the Fars News Agency police had received about 2,000 complaints from people asking for vigorous action against the protesters.

Khamenei, in a speech during Friday prayers, said Ahmadinejad had won an "overwhelming victory" and banned any further demonstrations.