Iran holds pro-govt rallies after sixth day of protests

At least 21 people have been killed during the unrest, including two members of the security forces

Pro-government rallies in several Iranian cities drew thousands of marchers on Wednesday, following six days of rare unrest that took the country’s leaders off guard.
 

State television broadcast live pictures of rallies in Kermanshah, Ilam and Gorgan, where marchers waved Iranian flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The boldest challenge to Iran’s established order in almost a decade had continued into Tuesday night, with postings and video footage on social media showing riot police deployed in force in several cities. Hours earlier, Khamenei accused Iran’s foes of fomenting the unrest.

On Wednesday, marchers voiced their support for Khamenei, chanting: