Saudi Arabia, whose candidacy was also criticised, secured an automatic seat.
Iran was beaten to an Asian regional seat by East Timor, a late entrant to the contest, in a vote at the UN General Assembly.
Iran had originally been guaranteed a seat because the Asia region had only put forward 10 candidates for 10 seats. Diplomats said East Timor later put itself forward as a spoiler as controversy mounted over Iran’s rights record, particularly toward women.