WATCH: Iran arrests 'Mossad agent' participating in ongoing nationwide protests

The "Mossad operative" allegedly confessed to being recruited, trained by, and continuing communication with the Israeli intelligence agency.

The individual claims that he was instructed by Mossad handlers to go to people's residences, but was later instructed to move his "operations" to local marketplaces, Tasnim reported.

Video footage shared by authorities shows the loosely handcuffed suspect talking to authorities in a room with only one guard, while weapons and ammunition are laid out across the table in front of him.

The cyberattack was "completely thwarted," Hashemi was cited as saying.

However, on Monday, he addressed an internet shutdown affecting Iran.

"Over 10 million citizens have their lives and livelihoods directly or indirectly affected by the country's communications infrastructure," he said.

"People have demands and protests, but at the same time, there is serious concern about the damage to businesses in the event of disruption or disconnection of the internet," he added.

"The issue of disconnecting or restricting the internet is not an absolute and permanent measure, but depends on specific circumstances, and decisions are being taken while considering account security, livelihood, and protecting the lives of civilians," Hashemi claimed.

The university administrations, which almost all cooperate with the regime, are not doing anything to prevent this, the students clarified.

"According to Iranian law, military and police are prohibited from entering campuses, but the regime solved this by burying several 'martyrs' within campuses, allowing IRGC to claim they are protecting martyrs' gravesites," the students explained.

"If they feel that the crowd is not large enough to enter by force, they try to infiltrate agents into the university grounds, identify the bravest ones, then attack them outside the university or even in their dormitories and homes, and arrest them," one of the students told N12.

"In terms of repression, the government always responds to even the smallest voice with an iron fist, no matter how quiet the protest is," one added.

"I really expect the people of Israel and the free people of the world to hear our voice, to hear our revolution, and not to let them say that we are only protesting the cost of living, and not to let them reduce our revolution. I trust only the people of Israel, the government of Israel, and the United States. The Islamic Republic is killing everyone, so I really hope that we will receive assistance in the coming days," one of the students told N12.

Meanwhile, Ali Sharifi-Zarchi, a faculty member of the Artificial Intelligence and Bioinformatics Group at Sharif University of Technology’s Department of Computer Engineering, used his personal X account to post anti-regime sentiments, including calling for genuine, free, open, and transparent elections.

Sharif University of Technology is a public university, funded by the Islamic Republic.

"Death to the dictator!" they appeared to chant, while adding "This is the final battle, [Crown Prince Reza] Pahlavi will return!"

Other protests appeared to include the chant "Cry louder Seyyed Ali," referring to Khamenei, as "Pahlavi is returning."

Other footage shared by the outlet appears to show a protester in Isfahan spraypainting graffiti reading "Long live the Shah," and "Death to Khamenei."

Further footage shared by the outlet appears to show that activists burned a banner memorializing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force arch-terrorist Qasem Soleimani in Mashhad.

In addition, the National Union for Democracy in Iran shared footage appearing to show "regime forces violently raiding" a hospital in Ilam Province, shooting tear gas.

The "regime forces" attempted to arrest patients suspected of being protesters, NUFDI stated.

The head of Iran's judiciary wrote, "This time, we will show no mercy to the rioters," on his official X/Twitter account.

"One must not remain silent in the face of someone seeking to exploit and disrupt the security and peace of the people. One cannot tolerate or show leniency towards a rioter," he added.

Human Rights Activists News Agency noted that the number is likely higher, according to their reporting.

"At least 222 locations in 78 cities across 26 provinces have witnessed protests. During these events, at least 990 citizens have been arrested, and at least 19 protesters have lost their lives," HRANA wrote in their wrap on events at the end of Sunday's protest activity.

The protests have now reached their ninth day as of Monday.

According to cited sources within the Iranian government, the country's leaders are struggling to handle the wave of protests sweeping through the country.