The protests began on Sunday with demonstrations by shop owners at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran and have continued for a third day. On Monday, December 29, following the initial protests, the head of the Central Bank resigned.
According to media reports, security forces are using tear gas against activists, and footage has emerged showing participants trying to take cover from police amid gunfire.
The discontent is attributed to the fall in the value of the rial amid sanctions pressure, which exacerbates inflation and paralyzes trade, especially in the import segment, as market participants anticipate a further increase in the exchange rate, Reuters reports.
Protesters are demanding that the government take measures to stabilize the exchange rate and develop a clear economic policy. In addition to economic demands, political slogans such as "Death to the dictator" and "Freedom" are being chanted at the protests, as noted by Iran International.
On Monday evening, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the government via social media to pay attention to the citizens' demands, announcing plans to reform the monetary and banking system, as well as the need to maintain the purchasing power of the population.
