At least 17 killed as anti-government protests spread in Iran

Iran's state-run media acknowledged on Thursday that at least 17 people have been killed in anti-government protests which have spread across the country. The unrest was sparked by the death of a woman detained by the country's so-called "morality police," apparently for not covering her hair as required by Iran's strict Islamic laws.

One charity operating in Iran put the death toll higher, at 31, but CBS News could not verify the figure. 

The morality police, who are tasked specifically with enforcing Iran's strict Islamic dress code and other religious edicts, arrested 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last week while her family was visiting the capital, Tehran.