A man "creating a disturbance" shot at police Monday with a hunting rifle, killing one officer and wounding three others, according to state media. The shooting happened in Najafabad.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called out U.S. President Donald Trump after a series of tweets in support of the protests.
Russia weighed in, saying the demonstrations are an "internal affair" for Iran and external interference is unacceptable.
Media cited Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, as blaming the violence on social media. "Hashtags and messages about the situation in Iran come from the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia," he said. "What is happening on social networks concerning the situation in the country is a proxy war against the Iranian people."
Rouhani has acknowledged that Iranians have the right to protest legally, but urged national unity Monday as "the first and most important step at this stage."
A significant internet outage was reported across Iran on Monday afternoon, but some users said later it was working again.
Andrew Peek, U.S. State Department deputy assistant secretary for Iraq and Iran, tells VOA that there could be sanctions against those who are responsible for attacks against the protesters: "We're considering a variety of options to hold those people accountable, including sanctions."
Andrew Peek, U.S. State Department deputy assistant secretary for Iraq and Iran tells VOA: "Well, these protests are indicative of what the United States government has said all along. The biggest victim of the Iranian government are the Iranian people. We are watching the events extremely closely. We continue to support the Iranian people, the president has been very clear about that. We call on the Iranian government to respect the right of their people to protest peacefully, to respect the right of free-flow information and not to use violence against peaceful protesters. These are basic human rights we think they should uphold."
Security forces in Iran on motorcycles attacking people on Workers Street in Tehran.
Video sent by unknown person to VOA Persian appears to show protesters using fire extinguishers.
Video sent by unknown person to VOA Persian appears to show Tehran's Revolution Square, where protesters appealed to security forces for help. "Police force, support [us]!"
VOA Persian links to video reportedly showing security forces firing weapons during a protest in Takestan, a city near Tehran.
Iranian Policeman Reported Killed, 3 Hurt
Jan 1. (Reuters) One police officer has been shot dead during protests in Iran and three have been wounded, a police spokesman said on Monday, the first reported security force fatality since anti-government demonstrations began last week.
"A rioter took advantage of the situation in the city of Najaf Abad and fired shots at police forces with a hunting rifle. As a result, three were wounded, and one was martyred," Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi was quoted as saying by Iranian state
television. It did not say when the incident took place.
VOA Persian Service: Gathering in #Tehran, Revolution Square, as mass protests in #Iran entered its fifth day. Some protesters chanting "death to dictator."
Supporters of Iranian protesters gather outside Iran's embassy in London.
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Iran is experiencing its largest anti-government protests since the country’s disputed presidential election in 2009
Iran State TV reports at least 12 people have been killed during demonstrations in cities across the country since Thursday
Videos and photos posted on social media have shown groups of largely peaceful protesters criticizing the government and demanding freedom. Some videos have shown protesters clashing with police and vandalizing property
Iranian authorities have warned protesters against violence, but President Rouhani has also said people have the right to protest and criticize the government
-- Iranian authorities have blocked popular social-media websites.
-- President Donald Trump has criticized authorities for the social media controls, and on Monday tweeted support for the protesters, saying they want food and freedom.
-- The protests initially appeared to be a reaction to high food prices and unemployment. But they quickly evolved into expressions of anger against Iran's clerical leadership, including President Rouhani, who won re-election in May with promises to revive the economy.
Video sent to VOA Persian: Reportedly of Sunday midnight protests in Rasht, the capital city of northern Gilan province.