By Tolga Akbaba and Ahmet Dursun

ANKARA

Iranians on Thursday took to the streets in the capital Tehran over rising inflation and high cost of living in the country.

People gathered at Meydan-e Vali Asr Square, chanting slogans and lit up garbage cans in an act of expressing dissatisfaction over the current economic situation.

Couple of days ago, the street protests emerged in city of Isfahan that spread to other cities, including Meshed, Shiraz and Tehran.

Iran continues to face a host of serious economic challenges, including high unemployment and a weakening currency, due to longstanding U.S. sanctions.

Many Iranian traders and importers face difficulties obtaining foreign currency, which they need to pay for imported commodities.