Hassan Rouhani
Hassan Rouhaniרויטרס

Iran's president Rouhani received a mixed welcome in Tehran after he returned from New York, where he appeared to deliver conciliatory messages toward the west.

Some 100 hardline Islamists chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" as Rouhani's motorcade drew out of Tehran's Mehrabad Airport.

Some protesters hurled eggs, stones and a shoe at Rouhani, who stood up through his limousine's sunroof and waved, while members of his security team tried to shield him with an umbrella.

However, 200 to 300 supporters were also on hand, shouting: "Thank you Rouhani." Police separated the rival demonstrators.

Iranian media said hundreds of Rouhani supporters turned up to hail his UN visit, where he had engaged in "constructive interaction" with the world in order to ease Iran's international isolation and get the international community to lift sanctions it has placed on Iran.

The semi-official Mehr news agency showed pictures of protesters holding a "death to America" sign and banging the sides of Rouhani's limousine. Mehr said one protester threw one of his shoes at the car.