3 dead in violent Iran protests after death of woman held in hijab case

Iran faced international criticism on Tuesday over the death of a woman held by its morality police, which ignited three days of protests, including clashes with security forces in the capital and other unrest that claimed at least three lives.

The UN human rights office called for an investigation. The US called on the Islamic Republic to end its "systemic persecution" of women. Italy also condemned her death. Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian rejected the criticism, accusing the US of "shedding crocodile tears."

Separately, an Iranian official said three people had been killed by unnamed armed groups in the Kurdish region where the protests began, the first official confirmation of deaths linked to the unrest.

Later on Monday, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported that small groups of protesters had again gathered in downtown Tehran, chanting "Death to the dictator". It said the crowd numbered around 300 and that the protesters damaged street signs. Videos posted on social media have shown demonstrations in numerous cities, with women waving their headscarves and protesters facing off with security forces.