HAMILTON, Canada

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday conveyed "concern" over the latest protests in Iran for more than a week that have spread nationwide and resulted in reported casualties.

"I can tell you that the Secretary General is following with concern the ongoing protest in the Islamic Republic of Iran. He's deeply saddened by the reported loss of life and injuries resulting from clashes between security forces and protesters," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference."

Emphasizing the "need to prevent any further casualties," Guterres also urged the Iranian "authorities to uphold the right of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly."

"All individuals must be allowed to protest peacefully and express their grievances," Dujarric said, adding that Guterres "further emphasizes the importance of all actors in Iran and the wider region refraining from actions that could heighten tensions and control instability."

Protests in Iran have entered their eighth consecutive day and have spread to at least 222 locations in 78 cities, triggered by worsening economic conditions, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Demonstrations were reported in 26 provinces, including street protests, labor strikes, and university-led actions, the agency said. HRANA was established in 2009 by Iranian human rights advocates.

Seventeen universities have been involved in the protest wave, which has continued despite heightened security deployments and efforts to suppress gatherings, according to the report.

At least 20 people have been killed during the unrest, including a member of law enforcement-security forces, HRANA said.

At least 51 others were injured, most of them by pellets and plastic bullets fired by security forces, the report added.

Those killed include students, laborers, and civilians aged between 16 and 45.