Iran summons Italian envoy to protest ‘interventionist’ policies

Iran has summoned the Italian ambassador to protest “interventionist” policies, the foreign ministry said late Thursday, a day after Rome called in Tehran’s envoy over its response to nationwide protests.

The Islamic Republic has been gripped by protests since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, following her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the strict dress code for women.

Iran says hundreds of people have been killed in the unrest, including members of the security forces, and thousands have been arrested nationwide.