Iran warns citizens against joining 'illegal gatherings' to protest state corruption

Scores of people were arrested at rallies in multiple cities across Iran Thursday and Friday. The demonstrations reportedly varied in size from dozens to thousands of protesters objecting to government corruption, rising prices, and lowered standards of living.

On Saturday, about 2,000 pro-government demonstrators gathered in Tehran in a pre-scheduled event which received considerably more attention on state-run media outlets. Iran's Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli warned citizens "not to participate in" the "illegal gatherings" criticizing the government because it would "create problems for themselves and other citizens."

In a tweeted comment Friday night, President Trump told Tehran to "respect their people's rights" because the "world is watching." The White House and State Department issued similar similar statements condemning protesters' arrests.

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