Iranians have taken to the streets since a currency collapse exacerbated the country’s economic crisis [Getty]

Israel’s far-right Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu claimed on Thursday that Israeli agents are operating on the ground in Iran, amid protests triggered by a collapse of the Iranian rial and a severe economic crisis.

Speaking to Israel’s Army Radio, Eliyahu said Israel had used on-the-ground agents during the 12-day war with Iran in June last year, adding that similar operatives are active during the country’s current crisis.

“When we attacked in Iran during ‘Rising Lion’ we were on its soil and knew how to lay the groundwork for a strike. I can assure you that we have some  of our people operating there right now,” he said.

The minister added that the agents, while not working for regime change, are weaking Iran’s capabilities.

“Are they now acting directly to topple the regime? No. Are they acting to ensure that Iran cannot threaten us from all other aspects? Yes,” Eliyahu said.

Israel’s use of intelligence agents in Iran during the 12-day war was also acknowledged by Tehran, which has carried out multiple arrests since. Iran has executed at least 10 people convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency since June.

Eliyahu’s remarks add fuel to allegations of external interference in Iran by Israel, as well as the United States – a line pushed by Iranian officials and state media.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday struck a defiant tone in the face of the protests, saying that US President Donald Trump’s hands were “stained with the blood of more than a thousand Iranians” –  an apparent reference to the US-backed Israeli strikes on Iran last year.

Khamenei said the “arrogant” US leader would be “overthrown” like the imperial dynasty that ruled Iran up to the 1979 revolution.

“Last night in Tehran, a bunch of vandals came and destroyed a building that belongs to them to please the US president,” he said in an address to supporters, as men and women in the audience chanted the mantra of “death to America”.

“Everyone knows the Islamic republic came to power with the blood of hundreds of thousands of honourable people, it will not back down in the face of saboteurs.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made similar remarks on Friday, accusing the US and Israel of interference.

“This is what the Americans and Israelis have stated, that they are directly intervening in the protests in Iran,”  Araghchi said during a visit to Lebanon.

“They are trying to transform the peaceful protests into divisive and violent ones,” he said, adding that “regarding the possibility of seeing military intervention against Iran, we believe there is a low possibility of this because their previous attempts were total failures”.

Trump – appearing boosted by his recent abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro – has threatened military action against Iran to counter any government crackdown on protests.

Activists said on Friday that the death toll of the protests had reached 62.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement that the world body was “deeply disturbed” by the reports of violence and called for an investigation.

 “Those responsible for any violations must be held to account in line with international norms and standards,” Turk said.