BBC:

Riot police in Iran have clashed with protesters in the capital over sharp falls in the currency, the rial.

Tear gas was used to disperse the demonstrators, some of whom were setting fire to tyres and rubbish bins. There were many arrests, reports say.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC that scores of people gathered outside the central bank, calling for the governor to stand down, chanting anti-government slogans.

The rial has plummeted to record lows against the US dollar in recent days.

Up to 100 angry traders and official money lenders gathered in front of Iran's central bank. But they were attacked by riot police and dispersed, eyewitnesses told BBC Persian.

Reports say many shops in the central Grand Bazaar have brought down their shutters in sympathy with the demonstrators.

Traders are angry at the lack of direction from the government in the crisis, which they say has led to more instability in prices, making trading almost impossible, says BBC Persian's Kasra Naji.

There is speculation in Tehran that the widespread demonstrations may have been encouraged by conservative traders affiliated to opponents of President Ahmadinejad, in a push to remove him from power, our correspondent says.

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