DHAKA: Thousands of pro-government demonstrators are attending rallies in Iran, after two days of anti-government protests, reports BBC.

State TV showed crowds of black-clad supporters in the capital, Tehran.

Dozens of people have been arrested during days of protests over corruption and living standards, which the vice president suggested were being organized by political opponents.

The US administration warned Iran that "the world was watching" its response.
Saturday's official rallies were organized in advance of the anti-government protests, to mark the eighth anniversary of the suppression of major street protests.

In 2009, masses came out in favor of the then-president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in response to protests by reformists over a disputed election which returned him to power.
Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities are blaming anti-revolutionaries and agents of foreign powers for the protests.

They have promised that the protestors will be dealt with harshly, while admitting there is genuine and widespread discontent.

The protests started in the north-eastern city of Mashhad - the country's second most-populous - on Thursday.

People there took to the streets to express anger at the government over high prices, and vented their fury against President Hassan Rouhani. Fifty-two people were arrested there for chanting "harsh slogans".

The protests were initially against economic conditions and corruption but appear to have turned political.

Slogans have been chanted against not just Rouhani but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and clerical rule in general.

The US State Department urged all nations "to publicly support the Iranian people and their demands for basic rights and an end to corruption".

BDST: 1550 HRS, DEC 30, 2017
SI