Protests, strikes escalate in Tehran amid historic fall of Iranian rial

Protests and strikes continued in Tehran as the Iranian rial fell to historic lows, with shopkeepers and traders shutting stores and calling for further demonstrations. Videos obtained by Iran International show protesters chanting “death to the dictator” during sporadic nighttime rallies.

Tehran shopkeepers vowed to extend their strikes, while students from Shahid Beheshti University also announced plans for a protest gathering in the morning of December 30, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Parts of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar reportedly joined the strike, and the gold market was closed. Demonstrations were observed on Lalehzar, Amir Kabir, and Jomhouri streets, where protesters voiced anti-government slogans as calls spread for more merchants to join the walkout.

“Shopkeepers in Lalehzar, a central commercial district known for lighting and electrical goods, have called for a strike to protest the rial’s fall and what they describe as economic injustice and mismanagement by authorities,” eyewitnesses said.

Traders in Tehran’s iron market, Shoush home appliances market, and Chaharsu mall closed their shops on December 28 in protest at the continued decline of the rial and worsening economic conditions. Mobile phone traders gathered outside Tehran’s Alaeddin and Iran Mobile shopping centers after closing their stores, according to eyewitness reports and videos shared with Iran International.

The rial weakened to a historic low of approximately 1,445,000 per US dollar on December 28 in open market rates, extending a prolonged slide.

According to social media announcements, Tehran shopkeepers and merchants plan to hold a protest gathering at 10 a.m. local time on December 30, signaling their intent to maintain pressure on authorities over economic instability.

By Vafa Guliyeva