Mehr news agency reports law enforcement ordered to crack down on those violating law, with punishments including 'exile, bans on certain professions and closing workplaces'

The latest rulings bring to 17 the number of people given capital punishment over nationwide protests

Caricatures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei published in satirical magazine Wednesday prompted regime to warn France, close Tehran-based French Institute for Research

Protesters carry banners reading 'Woman, life, freedom' and chanting the words, which have become the slogan of the protests in Iran

In 1st such case, defendants get 1-10 years in prison but may appeal verdicts; activists on social media had called for three-day nationwide shutdown last month

Regime seen experimenting with seemingly contradictory repressive and conciliatory gestures as it struggles to formulate a clear policy

French foreign ministry slams 'revolting' punishments of Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, accused of killing paramilitary force member

New top cop General Ahmad-Reza Radan was sanctioned by the US and EU for abuses linked with protests sparked by Iran's contested 2009 presidential elections

Tehran says closure is just a 'first step' after satirical magazine published crude images of Supreme Leader Khamenei

Local reports say Taraneh Alidoosti, who starred in Oscar-winning film, released on bail after being arrested for Instagram posts voicing support for demonstrators