Tehran Temporarily Shuts Herat Consulate In Afghanistan

Afghan men in Herat shout anti-Iran slogans as they display pictures of their family members who have allegedly been killed by Iranian forces on December 9.

Iran has reportedly shut down its consulate in the western Afghan city of Herat, after protesters attacked the mission's compound.

Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry source on December 11 as saying the consulate would remain closed until further notice and that Tehran had sent a protest note to Afghan officials.

Demonstrators tried to storm the consulate on December 9 to protest the alleged killing of Afghan immigrants by Iranian security forces.

The crowd reportedly threw rocks and broke the mission's windows before security forces drove them back.

The demonstrators called on Tehran to hand over the bodies of 13 Afghans who they say illegally crossed the border into Iran.

The Afghans were reportedly killed in Iran about three months ago.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry source called the allegations "baseless."

Based on reporting by AFP and AP