Iran summons UK, Norway ambassadors amid Mahsa Amini protests

Iran's foreign ministry said on Sunday it summoned Britain's ambassador to protest what it described as a hostile atmosphere created by London-based Farsi-language media outlets.

The move comes amid protests in Iran triggered by the death of a young woman in police custody.

The state-run IRNA news agency reported the ministry also summoned Norway's ambassador to Iran and strongly protested recent remarks by the president of the Norwegian parliament, Masud Gharahkhani.

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody after being detained by Iranian morality police launched unrest across Iran's provinces and the capital of Tehran.

State TV suggested on Saturday that 41 protesters and police have been killed since the protests erupted on 17 September.

It said official statistics would be released by the interior ministry.

According to a tally by The Associated Press, there have been at least 11 deaths from both sides since protests began after Amini's funeral.

The foreign ministry's website said it summoned Simon Shercliff, the UK's ambassador to Iran, on Saturday and protested the hosting of critical Farsi-language media outlets.

The ministry alleges the news outlets have provoked disturbances and the spread of riots in Iran at the top of their programmes.

Iran MP criticises 'morality police' after protests: reports#MahsaAmini #Mahsa_Aminihttps://t.co/ClKpoN2SBf

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) September 20, 2022

Iran said it considers the news agencies' reporting to be interference in Iran's internal affairs and acts against its sovereignty.

The crisis in Iran began as a public outpouring of anger over the the death of Amini, who was arrested by the morality police in Tehran for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely.

The police said she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account.

Amini's death has sparked sharp condemnation from Western countries and the United Nations.