U.S. attempts to violate Iran’s sovereignty over the issue of protests triggered by the death of a woman in police custody will not go unanswered, the foreign ministry said on Monday, as the biggest unrest since 2019 showed no signs of abating.

Iran has been rocked by nationwide demonstrations sparked by the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, after she was detained by morality police enforcing the Islamic Republic’s strict restrictions on women’s dress. The case has drawn international condemnation. Iran said the United States was supporting rioters and seeking to destablise the Islamic Republic. At least 41 people have been killed in the unrest that started on September 17, according to state TV. According to Iranian state-backed news agency Tasmin, at least 1,200 people have been arrested.