At least six people have been killed and 13 security personnel wounded in clashes during protests that have lasted for days, Iranian media reported.

The semi-official Fars news agency reported that two people died during clashes between protesters and security forces in the city of Lordegan, in southwestern Iran on Thursday. Three more people were killed in Azna and another in Kuhdasht, both in the western province of Lorestan on Wednesday, Fars reported.

Fars described those involved as "rioters" and said several government buildings and banks were damaged. Some attackers opened fire on police, wounding officers, it said, citing an informed source. Several people were arrested, the report added.

The latest wave of demonstrations was triggered by a sharp fall in the value of Iran's currency on Sunday. The rial has weakened sharply since the United States withdrew from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. The dollar currently trades at a rate of over 1.35 million rials on the open market.

Saeid Pourali, the deputy governor for political, security and social affairs in the Lorestan Province, told state television IRIB that protests had erupted in several cities in recent days over economic grievances.

He said "peaceful and legal" demonstrations should be respected, but acts of vandalism and violence were unacceptable and harmed national interests. He attributed the economic pressures, including currency volatility and livelihood concerns, to "cruel" Western sanctions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that "genuine solidarity alongside constructive criticism" was needed to guide the country through its current challenges and lay the groundwork for lasting reforms, according to the official IRNA news agency.

In a post on X on Monday, Pezeshkian said people's livelihoods were his daily concern. He said the government had "fundamental measures" planned to reform the monetary and banking system and protect purchasing power.

Pezeshkian said he had instructed the interior minister to engage in dialogue with protesters' representatives so the government could address their demands and resolve the problems.

(With input from Xinhua)