Iran arrests 230 young partygoers for drinking, dancing
Tehran police arrested 140 of the young party goers in a garden on the outskirts of Tehran and 90 in the city's uptown while dancing and drinking alcohol on Thursday night.
Police said they seized alcoholic beverages and psychotropic drugs during the raid.
They claim they were alerted to the parties when some participants posted invitations on the social media platform Instagram.
Thursday night marked the "Yalda night", a Persian festive occasion marking the longest and darkest night of the year.
Authorities in Iran regularly carry out raids on private parties in attempt to clampdown "corrupting influences" in the Islamic Republic.
In August, they arrested dozens of "half-naked" youths during a party in Isfahan, where the partygoers were allegedly found drinking alcohol and dancing.
Alcohol and gender mixing are banned under the country's strict moral laws, which were introduced after the 1979 revolution.
Crimes involving drug abuse, adultery and "spreading corruption" can land the accused with a death penalty in Iran. Lesser offences often result in fines, jail terms or lashes.