The White House has demanded that Iran release demonstrators rounded up in countrywide protests, raising pressure on Tehran.<br/><br/>The Trump Administration is deeply concerned about reports that the Iranian regime has imprisoned thousands of Iranian citizens in the past week for engaging in peaceful protests, the White House said in a statement. <br/><br/>US President Donald Trump weighs the future of a key nuclear deal.<br/>White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the US will not remain silent as the Iranian dictatorship represses the basic rights of its citizens and will hold Iran's leaders accountable for any violations. <br/><br/>The United States calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Iran, including the victims of the most recent crackdown, the statement read.<br/><br/>Violent unrest fuelled by economic grievances erupted in dozens of Iranian cities between December 28 and January 1, leaving at least 21 people dead.A reluctant Trump is expected tomorrow to waive a series of sanctions against Iran, as part of a deal to curb the Islamic republic's nuclear program. <br/><br/>