Protests in Iran That Started On Thursday Dec 28,2017 - All You Need To Know

There are growing tensions in Iran after anti-government protests erupted over the country's economic policies across different cities.

Dozens of people have been killed in the demonstrations, which started on Thursday December 28,2017

Here are 5 things you need to know

Iranians began protesting on Thursday in the second-largest city of Masshad, rallying against high prices.

While some say economic woes are caused by Iran's foreign policy, as the country is involved in regional conflicts, others say sanctions have ultimately hit people's pockets.

By Friday, rallies spread to the capital, Tehran, and other major cities.

According to local media reports, thousands have taken to the streets to voice their frustration against the government.

Following days of demonstrations, about 400 protests have been reportedly arrested.

The protests have gained momentum, turned deadly and are described as the largest in nearly a decade.

In Tehran, dozens of students on Saturday Dec 30,2017 chanted anti-government slogans outside Tehran University, before being dispersed by riot police and large crowds of pro-government demonstrators.

Videos posted on Twitter by the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran appeared to show police in riot gear clashing with protesters outside the gates to the Tehran University.

On Sunday Dec 31,2017, the government restricted access to the Instagram and Telegram social media apps as a security measure

Some protesters are rallying against rising prices, unemployment and economic inequality, according to anti-government activists and Iran's semi-state news agency Fars.

Others are also chanting anti-government slogans against the country's foreign policy, such as "Death to Rouhani", "Forget Palestine", "Not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran"

Iran's government acknowledged people's concerns over the economy but warned demonstrators against disruptive behaviour.

"Those who damage public property, disrupt order and break the law must be responsible for their behaviour and pay the price," Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli said on state television early on Sunday Dec 31,2017