India, Jan. 7 -- As Iran continues to reel under protests and unrest for nearly ten days, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday asked security forces not to crack down on "economic" protestors, and draw a definite distinction between peaceful demonstrators and "armed rioters".

"Pezeshkian had ordered that no security measures be taken against the demonstrators," news agency AFP reported, quoting vice president Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah as saying.

The President also asked troops to draw a difference between those who carry firearms, knives and machetes and attack police stations and military sites, and those who stage peaceful protests.

As the country faces heightened protests, at least 27 people have been killed and more tha...