Iranian security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters at Tehran’s main bazaar, where demonstrations over the cost of living have entered a tenth day.
TEHRAN: Iranian security forces fired tear gas on Tuesday to disperse protesters at Tehran’s main bazaar.
Rights groups and verified social media footage showed the clashes, where demonstrators chanted slogans against the clerical authorities.
The protests began on December 28 with a merchant shutdown at the bazaar, a national economic hub, over anger at the rising cost of living.
They have since spread to other areas, particularly in the west where Kurdish and Lor minority groups live.
In verified footage, protesters could be heard shouting “Pahlavi will return” and “Seyyed Ali will be overthrown”.
These slogans reference the monarchy ousted in 1979 and the current supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Other footage posted by rights groups showed dozens shouting “freedom” and “shameless” before security forces fired tear gas.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported “sporadic gatherings” around the bazaar, with police dispersing the crowds.
It said parts of the market, including the gold section, closed at noon in protest against rising foreign exchange rates.
The demonstrations are the most serious wave since the 2022-2023 nationwide rallies sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.
They have not yet reached the scale of that movement or the mass 2009 street protests following disputed elections.
However, they present a new challenge for the leadership amid an economic crisis and following a 12-day war with Israel in June.
President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government has announced modest monthly payments to alleviate economic pain.
The head of the judiciary warned on Monday there would be “no leniency” for “rioters”.
Official Iranian media announcements say at least 12 people have been killed since the protests began, including security force members.
Non-governmental organisations outside Iran warn the death toll could be much higher.
