Protesters expressing frustration over Iran’s struggling economy staged a sit-in at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on Tuesday, witnesses reported. Security forces intervened by using 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 a continuation of ongoing demonstrations as the country’s currency, the rial, hit a new low on Tuesday.
According to rights groups, the death toll from the protests has reached at least 25 individuals over the initial nine days, with some reports suggesting the number could be as high as 35. The unrest initially sparked at the bazaar due to the currency depreciation and high inflation levels. While the protests have spread to select cities in western and southern Iran, they have not yet reached the magnitude of the 2022-23 nationwide turmoil following the death of Mahsa Amini.
Various human rights organizations have reported different figures, with Hengaw stating 25 fatalities, including four minors, and more than 1,000 arrests. Another network, HRANA, recorded at least 35 deaths, including two law enforcement officers, and 1,203 detentions as of Tuesday. The accuracy of these numbers remains unverified by Reuters.
Although the current protests are relatively smaller, they have evolved from economic grievances to broader dissatisfaction, with some demonstrators voicing opposition against the country’s clerical leadership. The situation is expected to deteriorate as Iran’s Central Bank has reduced subsidized exchange rates for dollars, likely leading to price increases for consumers already struggling due to years of sanctions.
Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has acknowledged the crisis moving beyond the government’s control and has initiated an investigation into one protest-related incident. International pressure on Iran persists, with U.S. President Donald Trump offering support to Iranian protesters in case of security force violence, countered by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowing to resist external influence.
In the Grand Bazaar, demonstrators sat in defiance as nearby shops closed, prompting security forces to use tear gas for dispersal. The broader context includes recent strikes on Iranian sites by Israel and the U.S. in 2025, which resulted in the deaths of key military figures and scientists. Meanwhile, Iran has condemned U.S. actions in Venezuela, a country with historical ties to Iran.
Official Iranian sources have not disclosed protester death tolls but have confirmed casualties among security personnel. Law enforcement officials have differentiated between peaceful protesters and rioters, vowing to address the latter with strong measures. The protests have expanded to various provinces, including smaller cities, with calls for justice and criticism of governance gaining momentum.
Pezeshkian has emphasized dialogue and promised reforms to stabilize the economy, with plans for subsidy reforms to support citizens’ purchasing power. The government’s upcoming measures include direct financial transfers to citizens to alleviate economic hardships. Amid these developments, the rial has continued to depreciate, reflecting ongoing economic challenges in Iran.