The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today at the request of the United States to discuss the wave of protests in Iran. The meeting is scheduled for 3.00 pm. <br/><br/>Russia has criticised the US push for Iran to be discussed at the Security Council and it remained unclear whether Moscow or other council members would try to block the meeting.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the United States has imposed sanctions on five Iranian companies it alleges are working on part of the Islamic republic's illegal ballistic missile programme. <br/><br/>Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin linked the measure to recent anti-government protests, arguing that Iran ought to spend more on public welfare rather than banned weapons.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today at the request of the United States to discuss the wave of protests in Iran. The meeting is scheduled for 3.00 pm. <br/>Russia has criticised the US push for Iran to be discussed at the Security Council and it remained unclear whether Moscow or other council members would try to block the meeting.<br/>Meanwhile, the United States has imposed sanctions on five Iranian companies it alleges are working on part of the Islamic republic's illegal ballistic missile programme. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin linked the measure to recent anti-government protests, arguing that Iran ought to spend more on public welfare rather than banned weapons.