Protesters expressing frustration with Iran’s struggling economy staged a sit-in at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on Tuesday, witnesses reported. Security forces later used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators as the market closed down. The protest at the Grand Bazaar, a historical hub of Iran’s economic and political activities, indicated ongoing discontent as the national currency, the rial, hit a record low on Tuesday.
According to rights groups, the protests that began at the bazaar have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 individuals over the first nine days. The number of casualties could be as high as 35. While the demonstrations have spread to some cities in western and southern Iran, they have not reached the magnitude of the unrest witnessed in 2022-23 following the death of Mahsa Amini, who passed away while in the custody of Iran’s morality police.
Various rights organizations have reported differing figures on the casualties, with Hengaw mentioning 25 deaths, including four minors, and over 1,000 arrests. HRANA, another network of activists, stated at least 35 fatalities, including two law enforcement officers, and 1,203 arrests as of Tuesday. These numbers have not been independently verified by Reuters.
Despite being less extensive, these protests have evolved beyond economic grievances to encompass broader frustrations, with some demonstrators voicing opposition against the country’s clerical leadership.
The economic situation is projected to deteriorate further as Iran’s Central Bank significantly reduced the subsidized exchange rates for dollars offered to importers and producers. This move is expected to lead merchants to pass on price increases to consumers, whose savings have been dwindling due to years of sanctions against Iran.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, while requesting a government inquiry into one protest-related incident, acknowledged on Tuesday that the crisis may be escalating beyond officials’ control. He emphasized that the government alone cannot address all the challenges faced by the country.
International pressure on Iran persists, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning of potential intervention in support of Iranian protesters if security forces resort to violence. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed not to back down in the face of external threats.
In the Grand Bazaar, demonstrators staged a sit-in in front of security forces, leading to the closure of nearby shops as shown in online videos and eyewitness accounts. Subsequently, tear gas was used to disperse the protesters. State media did not immediately acknowledge the incident, which has become commonplace since the protests began on December 28.
The clerical establishment in Iran is still grappling with the aftermath of the 2025 strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. These strikes, occurring just before scheduled talks with Washington on Iran’s nuclear program, resulted in the deaths of senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and nuclear scientists.
Trump’s warning coincided with U.S. special forces seizing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3, triggering condemnation from Iran, which has long been an ally of Venezuela and has also faced extensive U.S. sanctions.
Iranian authorities have not disclosed the number of protester deaths but have confirmed the fatalities of two security personnel and injuries to several others during the unrest. Law enforcement officials have been instructed to respond firmly to rioters, distinguishing them from peaceful protesters.
While acknowledging the economic challenges, Iranian authorities have accused foreign-linked networks of instigating chaos amid economic protests. Calls for justice and criticism of governance have featured prominently in the demonstrations, which have spread across multiple provinces and smaller cities.
Pezeshkian has advocated for dialogue and pledged reforms to stabilize the monetary and banking systems while safeguarding purchasing power. The government’s subsidy reform, scheduled to commence on January 10, involves removing preferential currency exchange rates for importers in favor of direct transfers to citizens to enhance their ability to buy essential items. Additionally, the central bank chief was replaced on December 29, coinciding with a further decline in the rial’s value since the protests began.