Iran faces global criticism, protests over woman’s death

By The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran is facing international criticism over the death of a woman held by its morality police, which ignited three days of protests across the country. An Iranian official said Tuesday that three people had been killed by unnamed armed groups in the Kurdish region of the country where the protests began. It was the first official confirmation of deaths linked to the unrest. The U.N. human rights office called for an investigation. The United States, which is trying to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, called on the Islamic Republic to end its “systemic persecution” of women. Italy also condemned her death. Iran dismissed the criticism as politically motivated.