(tasnim) -- In a statement on Monday, the ministry said thanks to measures adopted by the Iranian security forces and thanks to the help provided by the Iranian nation, the ministry managed to identify and detain some of the elements who incited unrests in the country.

It added that efforts were in progress to arrest the other agents as soon as possible.

According to the ministry's statement, some of the peaceful gatherings held in recent days in order to express public demands had turned violent due to the presence of suspicious and aggressive elements who damaged public property and caused casualties.

Some cities of Iran witnessed rallies over the past days in protest at price hikes and economic woes.

Police arrested a number of demonstrators who were trying to damage public property in the gatherings.

According to Article 27 of the Iranian Constitution, “public gatherings and marches are allowed so long as the participants do not carry arms and are not in violation of the fundamental principles of Islam.”

Following the civil rallies, some Western and Arab media outlets tried to portray the protests as a political uprising against the Establishment.

Iranian officials maintain that people have the right to stage protests to express their opinions, as long as the rallies comply with the legal conditions.