Rallies in Tehran

Top Iranian officials join pro-regime rallies in Tehran

From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq

Top Iranian government officials, including the country’s president and foreign minister, participated in pro-regime rallies in Tehran today, according to official Iranian media.

“Iranian people should remain strong and present. Their presence encourages us,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said while marching among thousands in the capital, as seen in video published by Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

The country’s President Masoud Pezeshkian was also seen in a video from IRIB, surrounded by several men and waving to participants.

Pro-government rallies were held across Iran as the country entered a third week of nationwide anti-government protests.

Officials addressed supporters at the rallies, describing the anti-government demonstrations as “foreign-backed riots.”

Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France today to present them with footage of what it described as violent acts by protesters during recent demonstrations.

According to Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the ambassadors were called in after their governments publicly expressed support for the protests.

During the meeting, Iranian officials showed footage of the unrest, claiming the actions went beyond peaceful protest and amounted to organized sabotage.

Tehran urged the ambassadors to relay the footage to their respective foreign ministers and “demanded the retraction of official statements expressing support for the protesters,” IRIB said.