Hardline President Ebrahim Raisi planned a television address to the nation amid a tide of anti-government unrest in Iran, with protesters chanting “death to the dictator”, after the death of a young woman in police custody.

Despite a growing death toll and a fierce crackdown by security forces using tear gas, clubs and, in some cases, live ammunition, social media videos showed Iranians persisting with protests, often calling for the end of the Islamic clerical establishment’s more than four decades in power.

Raisi, who last week said the protests over Mahsa Amini’s death were unacceptable “acts of chaos”, will speak to the nation, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported.

Angry demonstrations have spread to over 80 cities nationwide since the September 13 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, after she was arrested for “unsuitable attire” by the morality police who enforce the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.