Iran holds pro-government rallies after days of protests

Thousands of pro-government protesters marched through the capital Tehran, some chanting "Death to America" after Iranian officials blamed the US and its allies for provoking days of unrest and violence in the country.

State media reported that families, seniors and students were among Wednesday's protesters, but images on television were mostly of middle-aged and older men. Many held images of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and waved the national flags.

Here's why the Iran protests are significant

By contrast, the majority of anti-government protesters appeared to be young men, demanding more opportunities as unemployment and the cost of living remain relatively high.

Twenty-one people have been killed and 450 people arrested during the anti-government rallies, which began last Thursday over the country's stagnant economy and rising living costs, but quickly developed into a broader outcry against the government.

The protests have become the most powerful challenge to the Iranian government's authority since mass demonstrations in 2009.

Protests took place in at least 10 cities on Tuesday night, but in smaller numbers than previous days, Los Angeles Times Tehran correspondent Ramin Moshtagim told CNN.

War of words

Officials in the US and Iran have engaged in a fiery exchange of words over the unrest, triggered by US President Donald Trump's tweets in support of anti-government protesters.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley doubled down on Trump's remarks on Tuesday and said that the US was seeking emergency meetings with the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council.

"The people of Iran are crying out for freedom," Haley said. "All freedom-loving people must stand with their cause."

Iran's UN Mission responded Wednesday by calling Haley's comments "nauseous crocodile tears," according to a statement posted to official news agency ISNA.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemned the meddlesome remarks made by Nikki Haley and other US officials concerning the riots in the country," it said. "The remarks are all part of Washington's attempts to mask its political failures and those of its allies in the region and to take revenge on the brave people of Iran."

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday blamed Iran's "enemies" for stirring up unrest in the country -- suggesting they were involved in a "proxy war."

Trump tweeted that the Iranian government was repressive, "brutal and corrupt,"and added that it was "TIME FOR CHANGE!"

Leaders in Europe have offered more measured responses. Several nations in the region have begun investing in Iran since sanctions were lifted on the country following the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Rouhani Tuesday and expressed his concern over the violence and deaths in the past week.

He called for restraint and the two leaders agreed to postpone the French Foreign Minister's visit to Tehran due to the current climate.

Deadline looms

Trump has used the anti-government protests as an opportunity to slam the Iran nuclear deal ahead of key legal deadlines looming this month, actions that may foreshadow how he plans to proceed.

In mid-January, Trump will once again have to decide whether to certify Iran's compliance with the deal -- a process that must occur every 90 days according to the terms of the agreement.

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Trump keeping options 'open' on Iran sanctions waiver

The President also faces what is perhaps an even more significant deadline in mid-January, over whether to renew temporary waivers for US sanctions against Iran.

The renewal of those waivers -- which provide relief for US sanctions not set to expire for several years -- must occur every 120 days to keep the US a party to the deal and thus not violate the accord.

Iran's missile program is not in breach of its nuclear deal and will continue despite objections from the United States, Rouhani has said.

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