Iranian policeman killed in clashes amid fuel protests

TEHRAN (AA) – An Iranian policeman died in clashes with gunmen in western Iran on Sunday amid protests against a government decision to raise fuel prices, according to the official IRNA news agency.

A police major was injured in clashes with "rioters and thugs" while defending his police station from attackers in the city of Kermanshah on Saturday and later died of his wounds, provincial police chief Ali Akbar Javidan said.

Demonstrations have broken out across Iran since Friday after the government imposed petrol rationing and raised fuel prices.

At least one person has been killed and other injured in the protests.

Iranian officials say the new fuel policy, which has seen prices rise by at least 50%, will free up money to help the poor.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities restricted internet access in the country, ISNA news agency quoted a source at the information and telecommunications ministry as saying.

"Access to the internet has been limited as of last night and for the next 24 hours," the source said on condition of anonymity.

The source said the decision was made by the Supreme National Security Council of Iran and communicated to internet service providers.

Iran has been hit hard by the reimposition of U.S. sanctions last year after President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.