TEHRAN, June 15: Iran on Sunday lashed out at the United States for backing a series of pro-democracy demonstrations after thousands staged protests in Tehran for the fifth consecutive night.

There were reports of smaller demonstrations in at least Ehwaz, Shiraz and Isfahan, a sign the momentum of the protests may be gathering pace.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the US of “flagrant interference in Iran’s internal affairs” and said US officials were overstating the significance of the events.

“The Americans ignore the presence of millions of people to welcome the supreme leader and president, but they call the protests of a few individuals the voice of the people,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in a statement.

Some 60 people, including 32 policemen, had been injured in five nights of protests in Tehran and five state banks, 22 cars and 34 motorbikes damaged, IRNA news agency said.

Parliament Speaker Mehdi Karroubi, a leading figure in Iran’s reform movement, said: “All the differences and discussions among the children of the revolution are differences of taste but they are all united against the enemy,” he told parliament. “They stand up to the enemy and won’t accept any change.”

While venting most of their anger at the unelected clerics, protesters also lambasted moderate President Mohammad Khatami, accusing him of failing to deliver democracy, justice and social freedoms after six years in office.—Reuters