Iranians protest over currency plunge

REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO, WHICH HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM A SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE

Iranians march in Tehran, angry at the collapse of the country's currency, which in a week lost 40 percent of its value against the dollar.

Amateur footage, which cannot be independently verified by Reuters, appeared to show people protesting in the city's Grand Bazaar.

The bazaar reportedly closed on Wednesday (October 3) as shopkeepers said prices were in chaos as the value of the rial slumped.

As protests spread in the city, witnesses reported clashes between police and demonstrators.

Money changers were arrested in a clampdown on the unofficial foreign currency market, as Iranians tried to buy hard currency.

The government blames Western sanctions for the slump, but has insisted the country can ride out the crisis.