Iranian President vows decisive action over protests

Need to distinguish between protest and disturbing public security, he says

DUBAI - Iran must deal decisively with protests that have swept the country after the death in custody of a woman detained by the Islamic republic's morality police, President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday.

At least 41 people have been killed in the week-long unrest, state television said on Saturday. It said the death toll was based on its own count and official figures were yet to be released.

Protests have erupted in most of the country's 31 provinces.

The state media quoted Mr Raisi on Saturday as saying Iran must "deal decisively with those who oppose the country's security and tranquillity". Mr Raisi was speaking by telephone to the family of a member of the Basij volunteer force killed while taking part in the crackdown on unrest in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

The President "stressed the necessity to distinguish between protest and disturbing public order and security, and called the events... a riot", the state media reported.