Iran held a large funeral procession in Tehran on Wednesday for security personnel and civilians killed during the recent unrest, which authorities have attributed to "rioters and terrorists."
The event was attended by senior officials, including Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and residents, who carried national flags and images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the deceased.
Participants also chanted slogans against Israel and the United States, while voicing support for the police.
"People came to protest against the country's economic situation. Unfortunately, the enemies abused this situation, and that is why the people are demanding the most severe punishment for economic corruption. Because they have given this excuse, the people are living and resisting and are loyal to the ideals of Iran, but anyway they are under severe economic pressure. We want the authorities to give the protesters answers," said Tehran resident Maryam.
"Everyone is protesting the conditions, but no one among the people is happy that public property and people's property are damaged and security is jeopardized. I think that these recent incidents were not done by ordinary people and were directed by Mossad and American agents who violated the security of the country and put the country in an unusual situation. They did not achieve their goals, but unfortunately we lost many loved ones who were the guardians of security," said Tehran resident Morteza.
The ongoing protests have become relatively peaceful, with no signs of widespread panic or panic buying, although local residents worry about a possible imminent conflict.
Iran's judiciary on Wednesday rejected a recent media report on the death toll from protests in the country, calling it "false and unreal," state media reported.
In a statement published by Mizan news agency, the judiciary accused the London-based Iran International news network, which it said is affiliated with Israel, of fabricating a claim that numbers on burial covers indicated the number of fatalities. It said the numbers were burial permit identifiers.
The judiciary did not provide its own casualty figure.
Iran International reported on Tuesday at least 12,000 people were killed in the recent protests.
Protests erupted since late last month in several Iranian cities over the sharp depreciation of the Iranian currency rial. The Iranian authorities said they are prepared to address economic grievances, while warning against violence, vandalism, and unrest.
Initially peaceful, the protests gradually turned violent over the past few days, resulting in casualties and damages to public property, mosques, government buildings, and banks. The Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel for the unrest.
Iran holds funeral for unrest victims, rejects report of high death toll
Iran holds funeral for unrest victims, rejects report of high death toll
