Iranian state-organised marchers call for execution of those protesting over death of Mahsa Amini in police custody

A photo of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini is held up at a protest in New York in solidarity with Iranian women. Getty

Michael Georgy

State-organised demonstrations took place in several Iranian cities on Friday to counter anti-government unrest triggered by the death of a woman in police custody, with marchers calling for the execution of protesters.

The demonstrations followed the strongest warning from the authorities yet when the army told Iranians it would confront "the enemies" behind the unrest - a move that could signal the kind of crackdown that has crushed protests in the past.