Iran to stage pro-government rallies in response to protests on Sep 23

Iranian authorities will organise rallies on September 23 as a response to protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

The head of the Islamic Propagation Coordination Council of Tehran Province, Seyyed Mohsen Mahmoudi, said that rallies in condemnation of the ongoing nationwide protests will be held in all cities across the province after Friday prayers, Iran's Entekhab news website reported on September 22.

He accused protesters of insulting the Quran, burning mosques and desecrating the hijab.

Similar rallies are planned in the religious city of Qom and will likely be held in other cities.

Protests erupted nationwide on September 16, after the death of Amini following her arrest by the morality police for allegedly not observing the Islamic dress code.