ERBIL - A big marketplace in the Iranian capital Tehran was closed on Sunday to protest against the dramatic increase of the petrol price.

According to Sky News, the shop owners were forcibly dispersed by the security forces before they could join the protesters who have been taking to the streets in the past three days.

The demonstrations soon turned violent in several cities in Iran, while a number of public banks and gas stations have reportedly been set on fire by the protesters.

Hengaw Organization for Human Rights revealed that a total of 26 Kurdish protesters have so far been killed while another 147 were injured during clashes with the security forces.