The recent death of a young woman who had been detained by Iran's "morality police" for violating the Islamic nation's conservative dress code has sparked mass protests across the country.
Mahsa Amini, 22, died last week after she was arrested for allegedly not complying with strict rules on head coverings for women.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, who departed for New York on Monday to address the UN General Assembly, has ordered an investigation and vowed to pursue the case in a phone call with Amini's family. He also offered his condolences, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. "Your daughter was like my daughter," the president reportedly said.
Widespread anger and grief
The incident has caused outrage and grief in Iran and across the globe.
The hashtag #MahsaAmini has been trending on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.
Mass protests flared up in Amini's home province of Kurdistan and other parts of the country. In the capital, Tehran, thousands of people took to the streets to express their anger and grief, chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator."
Security forces tried to disperse the crowds using water cannon and batons.
Some protesters were also arrested, Iran's Fars news agency reported.
Media outlets worldwide have reported extensively about it.
When Iran's president meets with journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, as planned, the death of Mahsa Amini will dominate the press conference.
The Iranian government has come under increasing pressure to carry out a proper and transparent investigation and bring the culprits to justice.
A spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for those responsible for Amini's death to be held accountable and for the fundamental rights of all people in Iran to be protected — including those of prisoners.
Human Rights Watch demanded the abolition of the morality police and religiously based laws such as those on the proper wearing of headscarves.
