Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was criticized on Tuesday for what his opponents called a "lavish ball" thrown by the first lady.

Held in a palace of the deposed Mohammad Reza Shah in northern Tehran, the all-female dinner was held to mark Women's Day on Saturday.

But hardliners in parliament said the event showed Rouhani was indulging in luxury while normal Iranians suffer economic hardship, caused in part by Western economic sanctions.