In Iran, anti-government protests have continued for the third consecutive day in a number of cities across the country, despite officials calling on citizens to avoid "illegal gatherings". <br/><br/>Sparked by anger over Iran's ailing economy, dozens of students yesterday chanted anti-government slogans outside Tehran University, before being dispersed by riot police and large crowds of pro-government demonstrators.<br/><br/>According to photos and videos posted on social, small crowds of protesters also rallied in Shahr-e Khord and Kermanshah yesterday. <br/><br/>Unverified videos on social media appeared to show thousands marching through the western cities of Khorramabad, Zanjan and Ahvaz. The rallies appeared to take place despite Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli calling on people earlier in the day not to participate in what he called "illegal gatherings". <br/><br/>Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people across Iran attended preplanned pro-government rallies yesterday to mark the end of unrest following the country's 2009 election. <br/><br/>State TV aired footage showing people in several cities waving flags and carrying banners bearing the image of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.<br/><br/>Iran has hit back at the United States after President Donald Trump said Tehran should respect its people's right to express themselves. Foreign Ministry spokesman said Iranian people feel no value for the opportunistic claims of the US officials and Mr. Trump, himself, according to the semi-state news agency Fars.<br/><br/>The protests first broke out on Thursday in Masshad, with people taking to the streets to denounce a surge in the prices of basic foods, the sluggish economy and unemployment.