Tehran has been monitoring the recent developments in Egypt that resulted in the death and injury of a number of Egyptians, Afkham said on Saturday.

The Iranian official urged both parties to maintain peace in the country, adding that Tehran advocates resolving disagreements through national dialogue and in a peaceful manner.

Egypt has been hit by a wave of protests since the Egyptian army overthrew elected President Mohamed Morsi, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the parliament in July.

Egypt’s interim government is conducting a heavy-handed crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been leading protests against the army-installed rulers since Morsi’s ouster on July 3, 2013.

An Egyptian security official said the death toll from clashes between protesters and security forces on Friday had risen to 17.

The official reported the new toll on Saturday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media.

RA/SHI