Tasnim� Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri highlighted the enemy�s plot to exploit the recent unrest in the country and said it sought to blame the Islamic Republic for the deaths in riots.

Speaking at a meeting of Law Enforcement commanders in Tehran on Monday, Major General Baqeri hailed the security situation in Iran and said the country�s Law Enforcement forces have played a major role in protecting the Islamic Republic�s security.

He further pointed to the recent protests in the country and said the police managed to control the situation quickly and separate rioters from the ordinary people patiently.

The commander also said the enemy was seeking to play a blame game over the deaths in the unrest, lauding the Law Enforcement forces for managing to foil the enemy�s plots through exercising restraint.

In late December, peaceful protests over economic problems broke out in a number of Iranian cities, but the gatherings turned violent when groups of participants, some of them armed, vandalized public property and launched attacks on police stations and government buildings.

Security forces say many rioters arrested in the recent unrest have been trained by the MKO terrorists or had links with the Takfiri terrorist groups.

Following the unrest, people held several demonstrations across the country to condemn the violent riots and acts of vandalism, and voice support for the Islamic Republic�s Establishment.

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