Iran vows ‘immediate’ response

Iran yesterday vowed an "immediate" response to the European Union as it prepares new sanctions on the Islamic republic after over a month of protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death.

EU foreign ministers yesterday met to adopt sanctions on Iran, including on the morality police in whose custody Amini died on September 16 after she was detained for allegedly breaching Iran's strict dress code for women.

Iran will "decide and act immediately in accordance with the decisions and actions" taken by EU member countries, foreign ministry spokesman Naser Kanani said.

"If they initiate new sanctions, this action is definitely unconstructive and irrational."

Iran has been rocked by demonstrations since the death of 22-year-old Amini and a crackdown on protesters.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned last week that "now is the time to sanction those responsible" in Iran "for the repression of women".

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The planned EU sanctions target 11 Iranian officials and four entities, including the morality police, who will be subject to EU visa bans and asset freezes.

The US, Britain and Canada have already announced sanctions against Iran over rights violations.

Tehran has accused the United States and some US allies of fomenting the protests.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a fire that raged through Tehran's Evin prison rose to eight Iranian, the judiciary said yesterday, doubling the official toll from the blaze.

Authorities in the Islamic republic have blamed the fire late Saturday on "riots and clashes" among prisoners, but human rights groups said they doubted the official version of events and also feared the real toll could be even higher.

Gunshots and explosions were heard during the dramatic blaze from inside the complex, according to social media footage, while state media broadcast images of the aftermath with areas gutted by the flames.