Iran's government said on Tuesday (December 30) it would seek dialogue with protest leaders after demonstrations in Tehran and other cities over a plunge in the currency's value that has accelerated inflation, with the central bank chief resigning.

Protests, which included shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, were held on Sunday (December 28) and Monday (December 29) according to Iranian state media, the latest demonstrations in the Islamic Republic where bouts of unrest have repeatedly erupted in recent years.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a social media post late on Monday that he had asked the interior minister to listen to "legitimate demands" of protesters. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said a dialogue mechanism would be set up and include talks with protest leaders.

The Iranian rial has been falling as the economy has suffered from the impact of Western sanctions, sinking to a record low on Monday at around 1,390,000 to the U.S. dollar, according to websites monitoring open market rates.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. PEOPLE PASSING BY CLOSED SHOPS OF TEHRAN'S GRAND BAZAAR

2. PEOPLE WALKING IN BAZAAAR

3. POLICE SPECIAL FORCE WALKING AMONG CROWD IN BAZAAR

4. PEOPLE IN THE AREA OUTSIDE BAZAAR

5. SECURITY FORCES AMONG CROWD

6. DIGITAL DISPLAY OF FOREX EXCHANGE CENTRE

7. MAN LOOKING AT CURRENCY COURSES IN WINDOW DISPLAY / WALKING AWAY

8. PEOPLE WALKING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, FATEMEH MOHAJERANI, SAYING:

"The government will listen patiently, even if there are harsh voices, because we believe that our people are patient enough, and when their voices are raised, the pressure that is being put on them is high. The government's job is to hear the voices and help them reach a common understanding to solve the problems that exist in society."

10. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES LISTENING TO PRESS CONFERENCE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, FATEMEH MOHAJERANI, SAYING:

"We see, hear, and recognise officially all the protests, the difficulties, and the crises."

12. CAMERAMEN

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) IRANIAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, FATEMEH MOHAJERANI, SAYING:

"We emphasise the right to peaceful assembly, which is also recognised in our constitution."

14. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES