Security forces break up protest in Grand Bazaar in Tehran amid economic crisis
In the Iranian capital, security forces have fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Tehran's Grand Bazaar. The protest in the country's key shopping centre took place amid a record drop in the national currency and a sharp rise in prices, AP reports.
According to human rights activists, since the end of December, the protests have spread to more than 270 locations in 27 of 31 provinces. At least 36 people have been killed, including 29 protesters and four children, and more than 1,200 people have been detained. At the same time, Iranian state media reported that hundreds of security forces were injured.
The rial exchange rate on 6 January updated its historical low and reached about 1.46 million rials to the US dollar. For comparison, in 2015, after the nuclear deal, the dollar was worth about 32,000 rials. Against this backdrop, the Central Bank of Iran has reduced preferential exchange rates for importers, which has already led to a rise in the price of basic products. According to state media, the price of vegetable oil has doubled, while cheese and chicken have risen in price.
President Massoud Peseshkian acknowledged that the authorities do not have the resources to contain the crisis on their own and ordered an investigation into the use of force in Ilam province. At the same time, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated the need to severely curb the unrest. The situation caused an international outcry after US President Donald Trump's statements about possible support for peaceful protesters.
Photo: DW.
