TEHRAN – A protester shot and killed a policeman during demonstrations inIran, police said on Monday, the first reported fatality among securityforces struggling to contain unrest challenging the clerical leadership.

Demonstrations continued for a fifth day, after 13 people were reported tohave been killed on Sunday in the worst wave of unrest since 2009 when hugecrowds took to the streets to condemn the re-election of then-presidentMahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The protests put pressure on the clerical leaders in power since the 1979Islamic Revolution, as well as President Hassan Rouhani who made atelevised call for calm on Sunday, saying Iranians had the right tocriticize but must not cause unrest.

The killing of the police officer happened when a demonstrator opened firewith a hunting rifle in the central city of Najafabad, police spokesmanSaeed Montazer al-Mahdi was quoted as saying by state TV. Three policemenwere wounded. It was not clear when the incident took place.