Iran website says opposition figure Yazdi detained

Reuters: An Iranian opposition website said opposition politician Ebrahim Yazdi was detained early on Monday, a day after pro-reform protesters clashed with security forces in Tehran. TEHRAN, Dec 28 (Reuters) – An Iranian opposition website said opposition politician Ebrahim Yazdi was detained early on Monday, a day after pro-reform protesters clashed with security forces in Tehran.

"Security forces came to his home (in Tehran) at 3 a.m. (2330 GMT) and arrested this political activist," the Jaras website said. It said his niece was detained a few hours earlier.

Yazdi, who heads the banned Freedom Movement, was foreign minister in Iran's first government after the 1979 Islamic revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed shah, but was sidelined as religious hardliners took over.

Yazdi, who was also detained after Iran's disputed election in June, is an important opposition voice in Iran but has no influence on state policy and limited popular support. (Writing by Fredrik Dahl; editing by Jon Boyle)