Iranians Stage Massive Rallies for Second Day to Condemn Riots (+Photos)

The spontaneous demonstrations were held on Thursday to voice anger at the rioters who destroyed public property and desecrated the country’s national flag amid recent unrest in a number of cities.

The massive demonstrations were staged in various parts of the country, including the northwestern cities of Ardebil and Oroumiyeh as well as Mashhad in northeast.

Participants in the rallies denounced the rioters as the stooges of the enemies or deceived individuals that sought to foment sedition by resorting to violence.

They also chanted anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans in the rallies, reaffirming commitment to the Islamic Republic and pledging support for the country’s security and stability.

Last week, a number of peaceful protests over economic problems broke out in several Iranian cities, but the gatherings turned violent when groups of participants, some of them armed, vandalized public property and launched attacks on police stations and government buildings.

Over a dozen people have been killed in the ensuing violence, according to media reports.

On Wednesday, too, Iranians from all walks of life held rallies in several cities to condemn the violence.

The participants voiced support for the Establishment and shouted slogans against the US and the Israeli regime for backing the riots.

Some Western and Arab media outlets tried to portray the recent protests as a political uprising against the Establishment.

Iranian officials maintain that people have the right to stage protests to express their opinions, as long as rallies comply with the legal conditions.

According to Article 27 of the Iranian Constitution, “public gatherings and marches are allowed so long as the participants do not carry arms and are not in violation of the fundamental principles of Islam.”