TEHRAN, (Reuters) – Iranian security forces armed  with batons and tear gas clashed with supporters of the late  dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in two  cities yesterday, opposition websites said.

But a senior local official denied reports of clashes in  Isfahan, accusing foreign media of “staging a psychological war”  against the clerical establishment by publishing such reports.

“A small group of people who gathered in Isfahan were  dispersed by ordinary Iranians. Security forces did not clash  with people,” said Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, deputy governor of  Isfahan province, the official IRNA news agency reported.

One opposition website said tear gas and pepper gas were  used against people gathering for a Montazeri memorial service  planned in a mosque in the city of Isfahan, while another said  women and children were among those beaten up.

Some opposition supporters were injured and dozens were  arrested, according to reformist websites, whose reports could  not be independently verified.

If confirmed, they highlight mounting tension in the major  oil producer, six months after a disputed presidential election  plunged the Islamic Republic into its deepest internal crisis  since it was founded three decades ago.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, asked in an interview with  Britain’s Channel Four News about reports of the clashes, said  some people might have broken the law, “they may have  participated in illegal demonstrations … the law will  certainly investigate.”

Asked about the expulsion of some foreign journalists, he  said the people of Iran were united and would certainly defend  (their) rights and interests. “There are different views that  exist in this country … but the majority of the nation is  united.”

Police chief Esmail Ahmadi-Moqadam warned the pro-reform  opposition of “fierce” confrontation if it continued its  “illegal” activities, the semi-official Fars news agency said.

Reformist former president Mohammad Khatami condemned the  violence in Isfahan, the reformist Parlemannews website said.

“Imam Khomeini (Iran’s revolutionary leader) believed that  the Islamic Republic was based on two pillars — freedom and  independence. If these pillars become shaky … we will have  tyranny again,” Khatami said.

The Jaras website said many demonstrators were hurt during  the clashes in Isfahan on the traditional third day of mourning  for Montazeri, who died on Saturday aged 87 in the holy Shi’ite  Muslim city of Qom.