Protests were staged in several areas across Iran on Monday to show support to the government, as anti-government demonstrations entered their 16th day over worsening economic conditions in the country.

In Tehran, crowds gathered at Enghelab Square, a busy central thoroughfare near the University of Tehran, waving the Iranian flag and “condemning recent violence” in public places, according to an Anadolu reporter.

Protesters called on the government to address economic grievances while rejecting what they described as “foreign interference” in Iran’s domestic affairs. Rallies were also reported in other cities, including Kerman, Zahedan, and Birjand in eastern Iran.

Monday’s protests were staged as anti-government demonstrations continued on Monday in various parts of the country.

Iranian officials have accused the US and Israel of backing what they describe as “armed rioters,” who have carried out several attacks in public places nationwide.

The Iranian Intelligence Ministry said Monday that 273 weapons were seized and three people arrested during the transit of an international cargo truck through the country, according to Iranian Fars news agency.

The ministry said a five-member “terrorist cell” linked to a banned Kurdish party was arrested in the city of Khorramabad.

Iranian authorities also detained 15 people over alleged links to Persian-language opposition channels operating outside Iran.

The protests began in Iran last month amid worsening economic conditions and a record depreciation of the national currency, the rial, which has fallen to 145,000 against the US dollar, driving up prices of essential goods.

The unrest came amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US, with reports indicating that President Donald Trump, who had previously vowed to “come to the rescue” of Iranian protesters, is considering “several options to support the protests.”

According to the US news website Axios on Sunday, Trump is expected to meet with his national security team on Tuesday to discuss possible actions regarding Iran.

In a significant development, Trump said on Sunday that Iranian authorities had reached out to the US to explore potential talks on the country’s nuclear program.

“I mean, a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But, a meeting is being set up. Iran called. They want to negotiate,” Trump said, suggesting that the US may be considering another round of military action before any talks.

In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf vowed that “the defenders of Iran” would teach the US president “an unforgettable lesson.”

“All your assets in the region will be destroyed. We will discipline the oppressive rulers,” the top conservative politician told a rally in Tehran.

Several top Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, were present at the rally.

There are no official casualty figures from the ongoing protests, but HRANA, a US-based rights group, estimates that the death toll has reached at least 544, including both security forces and protesters, with over 1,000 injured.

HRANA also reported that at least 10,681 people have been detained across protests in 585 locations nationwide, including 186 cities in all 31 provinces. (AA)

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