Nine individuals were reportedly killed throughout the night as anti-government protests continue across Iran.

The Associated Press, citing Iranian state television, said six of the nine individuals were killed in Qahdarijan during clashes over people attempting to steal weapons from a police station.

A member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps was also killed in Najafabad, per state television.

ADVERTISEMENT

The deaths come as anti-government protests continue across the nation for the first time in nearly a decade.

The protests began over economic concerns and food prices, according to reports, but have shifted to an anti-government tone, with a focus on Iran’s clerical rulers.

President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE has said it is “time for change” in Iran, and the administration has made clear that it supports peaceful protesters participating in demonstrations.

“The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their ‘pockets,’ ” Trump said early Tuesday.

“The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has reportedly placed blame for the protests on the country’s enemies.

“In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatus to create troubles for the Islamic Republic,” said Khamenei, as reported Tuesday by Reuters.