Pro-Government Rallies Held in Iran Amid Mass Protests

According to reports from the Iranian state television and radio company, rallies in support of the authorities took place in Tehran and other cities, aimed at condemning the actions of the protesters.

Participants in the rally expressed support for the government and condemned the "recent acts of terrorism" committed by the protesters.

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, also attended the demonstration in Tehran, as reported by the Tasnim agency.

Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement calling on citizens to participate in pro-government gatherings scheduled for January 12.

The concerning signal for participation was as follows: "We call on the entire Iranian people to actively participate in the planned actions in support of the government."

The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, had previously emphasized that the protesters are acting under the direction of external forces.

Mass protests began on December 28 against the backdrop of the national currency's decline and a sharp increase in inflation. Soon, the protests spread to almost all regions of the country, and in two cities in western Iran, protesters reportedly took control. In response, the authorities began a harsh crackdown on the protests, which led to a virtual internet shutdown. According to some estimates, the number of casualties has exceeded 600 people, although official data is still unavailable.