Mohammadi, 51, a journalist and activist, has spent much of the past two decades in and out of prison for her campaign against the mandatory hijab for women and the death penalty.

"The women of Iran have been an inspiration for the world," the UN human rights office told AFP.

"Their courage and determination in the face of reprisals, intimidation, violence and detention has been remarkable. They have been harassed for what they wear and what they do not wear, and face increasingly stringent legal, social and economic measures against them.

"Narges Mohammadi's case is emblematic of the huge risks that women take to advocate for the rights of all Iranians. We call for her release and the release of all human rights defenders jailed in Iran."

Human rights office spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell added at a press briefing in Geneva that the Nobel award for Mohammadi "really highlights the courage and determination of the women of Iran and how they are an inspiration".

UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci said respect for women's rights had always been an "extremely important point" for the United Nations.

"We stand for the rights of women around the world, including in Iran," she told the briefing.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "has been very clear in his defence in the human rights of women and girls in Iran", she added.