Iran defends use of death penalty after criticism

Iran defended its use of the death penalty, saying it applies to only the most serious offences, after the United Nations on Monday urged the Islamic republic to halt executions.

"The death penalty is recognised under Iran's domestic laws for a range of the most serious crimes," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, adding Tehran was "striving to limit the use of this punishment to only the most severe crimes".