'No headscarf, no interview': Iran President to US journalist

Iran, hit by nationwide protests over hijab, recently refused veteran British-Iranian journalist Christiane Amanpour an interview with President Ebrahim Raisi after she declined to wear a headscarf.

The dramatic turn of events happened in a New York studio where the September 21 interview could not be executed because of Raisi's insistence that Amanpour wear a headscarf in view of Muharram and Safar.

The veteran journalist in a series of tweets explained how 40 minutes after the interview had been due to start, there was no sign of the Iranian President, who was appearing for his first ever interview on a US soil.

Also watch: Explained: why are women chopping their hair and burning hijabs in Iran

On enquiry she found out that the President wanted her to wear a headscarf for the interview and also referred to the ongoing protest in his country.

Amanpour's stand for not wearing hijab was based on the rationale that the interview was in US, which does not have any law or tradition that expects women to cover their heads.

"I pointed out that no previous Iranian president has required this when I have interviewed them outside Iran," she wrote in her tweet.

Also watch: Iran protests escalate, at least 9 dead in clashes with security forces

The much-anticipated interview was to be broadcast on CNN where Amanpour is the chief international anchor. She was reportedly asked by president' aide to cover her hair, a request she politely declined.

This was going to be President Raisi’s maiden interview on US soil during his visit to NY for United Nations General Assembly.

Meanwhile, clashes between Iranian security forces and protesters have intensified over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody. At least nine people have been killed since the violence erupted over the weekend in Tehran over protests over hijab.