Hassan Rouhani defends steep fuel price hike; US condemns 'lethal force' used against demonstrators

After fuel price hikes led to deadly mass protests throughout Iran, President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday warned that 'anarchy and rioting' would not be tolerated.

As many as 87,000 people took part in the demonstrations, and at least two people were killed.

Dozens of stores and banks were set on fire or damaged in the violence and estimated 1000 arrests were made.

Rouhani said that we couldn't let insecurity in the country through riots. People have the right to protest, but that is different from riots said he.

It's not clear yet about how many people have been killed or wounded as videos from protests have shown people gravely wounded.

"Protest leaders had been identified and "appropriate action" was being taken", said Iran's intelligence ministry in a statement.

The US condemned the use of "Lethal Force" and severe communications restrictions against protestors in Iran. The US supports Iranian people in their peaceful demonstration against the regime that is supposed to lead them, the White House said in a statement.