Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claims to have ended nationwide protests

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says the security forces have ended the wave of unrest linked to anti-government protests that erupted last month.

The Guard’s official website on Sunday blamed the unrest on the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as an exiled opposition group and supporters of the monarchy that was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Price hikes sparked protests in a number of cities and towns late last month.

At least 21 people were killed in scattered clashes, and hundreds were arrested.

The protests were the largest seen in Iran since the disputed 2009 presidential election, and some demonstrators called for the overthrow of the government.

The United States and Israel have expressed support for the protesters, but deny allegations of fomenting them.

Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said that 70 of the detained protesters have been released on bail during the last 48 hours.

He added that there would be more releases from detention, except for the main instigators of the riots, who would be “dealt with seriously”.