TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's official news agency is reporting the country has closed its consular section in the western Afghan city of Herat, after anti-Iranian protests at the site on Sunday.

The Afghan demonstrators were protesting the alleged killing of Afghan emigrants at nearby border crossings in recent months. Iran denies the killings.

The Tuesday report by IRNA quotes an unnamed official as saying the Iranian consulate will remain closed until further notice, and that Iran has sent a protest note to Afghan officials.

Iran draws many Afghan emigrants in search of work, and is home to more than 1.5 million Afghan refugees.