Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests since September. Demonstrations broke out following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country's morality police. She was detained by the force for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic's strict dress code for women. The status of the morality police remains unclear after Iran's chief prosecutor, Mohamed Jafar Montazeri, said last week that the force had 'closed down.'' Iranian state media has distanced itself from Montazeri's claim.
