BAGHDAD — Angry protesters stormed the Iranian consulate in the southern city of Basra on Friday, setting a fire inside as part of continuing demonstrations that have turned deadly in the past few days, a security official and eyewitnesses said.

At least 10 protesters have died in clashes with security forces since Monday, including three who were shot dead on Thursday night as protesters lobbed Molotov cocktails and set fire to a government building and the offices of Shiite militias in the city.

Residents of Basra and other cities in Iraq’s oil-rich southern Shiite heartland have been protesting since July over endemic corruption, soaring joblessness and poor public services. Clashes erupted earlier this week, leaving several civilians and police officers dead. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered an investigation into the violence.

The violence prompted the temporary leader of Iraq’s parliament to call an emergency meeting on Saturday.