'Overt and covert support of the US, Zionist regime and the Saudi's for the rioters and vandals helped the Iranian people differentiate between the peaceful protestors and the foreign-stimulated rioters,' said General Sharif.

He added that the support from the White House and the enemies' intelligence services cannot blemish the will of the Iranians to defend their Islamic Revolution.

He also said that the government will pursue the rightful demands of the protesters in a peacful and quiet atmosphere, adding that 'the situation is under control'.

9417**1771

Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish