Iran calls on foreign visitors to respect law as protests persist

Foreign visitors to Iran should respect the Islamic Republic's laws, its foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday, as protests continue over a woman's death in police custody that Tehran has blamed on "foreign enemies".

Last month, Iran said it had arrested nine European nationals for their role in the unrest after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being taken into custody by Iran's morality police over what was labelled as inappropriate attire.

"Iran is a safe country... We expect foreigners who visit Iran for tourism and business ... purposes to respect our laws," foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kaanani told a televised news conference.

Anti-government demonstrations that erupted on September 17 at Amini's hometown of Saqez, have received wide international support, turning into the biggest challenge to Iran's clerical leaders in years.