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A leading model in Iran has been forced to publicly denounce herself after being charged with "promoting western promiscuity" for posting pictures online of her without a headscarf.

Elham Arab, wearing a black chador over her head, told a hearing at the Iranian Revolutionary Court that she now regretted entering the fashion business and described it as a "mistake".

Other reports from Iran said the model confessed voluntarily.

She is among a series of models and other prominent figures in the fashion industry caught up in a cyber crackdown by the Tehran authorities, code-named Spider II, against those who post images of themselves on Instagram and other social media sites.

Questioned by the prosecutor during the televised hearing, Ms Arab said: "I think all humans are interested in admiring beauty and becoming famous.

"But they must first consider at what cost and what they will lose in return.

"For an Iranian film star they