The main culprits and disturbers for sowing the recent unrest in Iran have been captured, said Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Basij Volunteer Forces on Monday.

According to him, recent riots can be divided into two parts: protests against rising gas prices and the abuse of enemies against demonstrations.

“People started their demonstrations in peace on Saturday morning but in the evening of the same day a wave of unrest was created by the support of the country’s enemies,” Soleimani described. “On Sunday, the conditions were rather stable all across the country and today, the situation is more improved,” he said, “Most of the troublemakers have been identified.”

The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) said in a statement late Thursday that the price of a liter of regular gasoline had gone up to 15,000 rials (12.7 US cents) from 10,000 rials and the monthly ration for each private automobile was set at 60 liters per month. Additional purchases would cost 30,000 rials per liter.

After the statement, protests were held and grew into riots. According to official figures, about 1,000 people were detained.