State-organised demonstrations have been held in several Iranian cities to counter anti-government unrest triggered by the death of a woman in police custody, with marchers calling for the execution of "rioters".

• Crowds called for "offenders of the Koran" to be executed, in a move to stir up support for authorities
• Rights group say a number of students and activists have been arrested by police
• Protests have been held at several Iranian embassies across the globe

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

Demonstrators condemned the anti-government protesters as "Israel's soldiers", live state television coverage showed.

They also shouted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel", common slogans the country's clerical rulers use to try and stir up support for authorities.

"Offenders of the Koran must be executed," the crowds chanted.