Iran under growing pressure as rallies over woman's death persist

State blames Kurdish dissidents for unrest; UN stresses need to respect human rights

DUBAI - Iranian riot police were deployed in Teheran's squares on Wednesday to confront people chanting "death to the dictator" as continuing nationwide protests over the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in police custody piled pressure on the authorities.

Ms Amini, 22, from the northwestern Kurdish city of Saqez, was arrested on Sept 13 in Teheran for "unsuitable attire" by the morality police, who enforce the Islamic republic's strict dress code.

She died three days later in hospital after falling into a coma, sparking the first big show of opposition on Iran's streets since the authorities crushed protests against a rise in petrol prices in 2019.

Despite a growing death toll and a crackdown by security forces using tear gas, clubs and, in some cases, live ammunition, videos posted on social media showed.

Iranians calling for the end of the Islamic establishment's more than four decades in power.

The state media said 41 people had died. Oslo-based Iran Human Rights said on Tuesday it had confirmed the death of 76 protesters.