1,500 killed in protests

As many as 1,500 people were killed in protests in Iran last month, says a Reuters investigation.

At least 17 teenagers and about 400 women, plus security force members, were among the toll, three interior ministry officials told the news agency. The count came from hospitals, security forces, morgues and coroners’ offices.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, told officials to “do whatever it takes” to stop the protests, which began on Nov 15 over a rise in petrol prices. Mr Khamenei said he would hold the officials responsible for the protests’ consequences if they carried on.