"Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a televised address from Tehran on Sunday, claimed the enemy used 'terrorists' to cause riots during the nationwide protests. "During the 12-day war, the enemy's objective and determination was to bring about disarray and conflict in our nation. In terms of the ongoing economic discussions and interventions, they are attempting also to refuel this unrest," he remarked. "They had trained a group inside and outside Iran and brought terrorists into the country who have torched mosques. In Rasht province, the market and unions were attacked and set the market ablaze. Iranian society does not tolerate those who torch the mosques in such a manner," Pezeshkian added. Iranian President emphasised the necessity "not to allow a group of rioters to come and cause damage to society as a whole." "We call on the dear youth, who figured out analysis in this regard - whether righteous or not - not to be deceived by those rioters and terrorists," he stressed. Pezeshkian also emphasised that the United States and Israel should be held accountable for inciting and supporting "individuals who were responsible for striking this country." Protests in several cities spiralled into riots with public property vandalised. On Tuesday, Tehran's police chief underscored that the rioters were dealt with 'robustly and firmly' by security forces, confirming that 'a large number' of rioters were apprehended after being separated from the protesters. Since late December, Iran has been grappling with protest groundswell which started in Tehran and rapidly spread to other cities over crippling economic conditions and a weakening currency with rial plummeting against the US dollar. The Iranian authorities reaffirm their commitment to satisfy what they described as 'rightful' demands of the protesters in line with the available capabilities. Meanwhile they warned that the 'enemy' attempts to take advantage of living problems stir up unrest in the country. In a message published on his Truth Social account on January 2, the US President Donald Trump warned that if Iran shoots the protesters, America 'will come to their rescue'."