Iran's reformist politicians condemned violence that has rocked the country in recent days, accusing the United States of stirring unrest while still calling on their government to address economic grievances, AFP reported.
"Without doubt the Iranian people are confronted with difficulties in their daily lives... and have the right to peacefully demand and protest," said a January 2 statement from the Association of Combatant Clerics, headed by reformist ex-president Mohammad Khatami.
"But the events of recent days have shown that opportunists and trouble-makers have exploited the demonstrations to create problems, insecurity and destroy public buildings, while insulting sacred religious and national values."
The group said the violence seen through five days of protests across the country would help Iran's "enemies".
'Security Forces, Support Us,' protesters in Ahvaz chanted on January 2.
From AFP, some residents of Tehran described their financial struggles as days of antigovernment protests took place in dozens of towns and cities across Iran.
France is concerned by the number of victims and arrests in Iran, a foreign ministry spokesman said as the death toll from anti-government demonstrations rose, declining to confirm the French foreign minister would visit Tehran this week, Reuters reported.
"The right to protest is a fundamental right," the spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday, January 2.
Asked if Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian maintained a planned visit to Tehran, the spokesman said he had no information on this at this stage.