Due to the drastic devaluation of Iran's local currency, multiple protests have erupted in the central area of Tehran, with merchants closing their shops. In the face of multiple ongoing crises, there are no signs of improvement in the situation.

On Sunday, shopkeepers near two large technology and mobile phone shopping centers in the Jomhuri district of the capital closed their stores and chanted slogans. More incidents were recorded on Monday afternoon, this time seemingly involving other groups of people.

Videos circulating on social media show more gatherings in the same area and other neighborhoods near the center of Tehran. Protesters chanted, "Don't be afraid, we are together."

A large number of heavily armed riot police were deployed on the streets. Several videos showed authorities using tear gas, forcing the crowd to disperse.

Many shops in the Tehran Bazaar and surrounding areas were also closed by their owners. Some footage showed merchants urging others to take similar actions.

August 28, 2025, at Ferdowsi Square, a major foreign exchange location in the central area of Tehran, a street money changer displayed Iranian banknotes both current and pre-revolutionary.

State media also acknowledged the protests but quickly responded, emphasizing that the shopkeepers were only concerned about economic conditions and had no objection to the theocratic regime that has ruled the country since the revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran in 1979.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency claimed that mobile phone sellers were dissatisfied because their business was threatened by the uncontrolled depreciation of the Iranian rial.

On Monday, the rial hit a new all-time low against the dollar, falling below 142,000 rials per dollar, and then slightly rebounded.

But the currency is not the only problem. For years, Iran has also been dealing with a deteriorating energy crisis, which periodically causes deadly air pollution and claims the lives of tens of thousands each year.

In the water crisis, most reservoirs that supply water to Tehran and many other major cities in Iran remain nearly depleted. Iran also has one of the most restricted internet environments in the world.

While the purchasing power of the 90 million Iranians continues to decline, the United States, Israel, and its European allies are increasing pressure on Iran's nuclear program.

In June, Israel and the United States launched an attack on Iran, a 12-day war that resulted in over 1,000 deaths, including civilians, dozens of senior military and intelligence commanders, and nuclear scientists.

The attack severely damaged or destroyed most of Iran's nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Since then, the agency has been denied access to the bombed sites, and diplomatic breakthroughs remain distant as Western pressure increases.

The last nationwide protests in Iran occurred in 2022 and 2023. At that time, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody for allegedly violating strict hijab laws, sparking thousands of people taking to the streets across the country.

Before the protests gradually subsided, hundreds had died, more than 20,000 had been arrested, and several people had been executed for their involvement in the protests. Authorities blamed the protests on foreign forces and "rioters" attempting to destabilize the country, echoing statements made during previous rounds of protests.

On Sunday (December 22), Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a controversial budget bill submitted by his government to parliament, painting a grim picture of the situation.

This highly restrictive budget proposal suggests a 20% increase in wages, while the current inflation rate is around 50%—for years, Iran's inflation rate has consistently ranked among the highest in the world. Taxes are planned to increase by 62%.

"Some told me the taxes are too heavy, and others said wages must be increased," Pezeshkian told the lawmakers, "so who can tell me where the money will come from?"

Original: toutiao.com/article/7589465770728423990/

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