Iranian security forces deployed tear gas on Tuesday, January 6th to disperse protesters at the Tehran bazaar, who had gathered to express frustration over rising living costs. The demonstrations, which began on December 28th, have spread across parts of the country, particularly in western regions inhabited by Kurdish and Lor minority groups.
According to human rights organizations and verified social media footage, protesters chanted slogans against the clerical authorities, including calls for the return of the monarchy and for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to be overthrown.
Iran’s Fars news agency said “sporadic gatherings” took place around the bazaar, with police dispersing the protest and demonstrators scattering into the alleyways nearby. Fars said parts of the bazaar, including the gold market, had been closed from noon in a “protest against rising foreign exchange rates and price instability.”
Footage shows demonstrators shouting “freedom” and “shameless” as security forces fired tear gas at the protesters, who rushed to disperse as acrid smoke rises from the ground.
In response, Iran has launched a nationwide cash distribution program. Starting from January 4th, the government pledged to transfer approximately 10 million rials per month to around 80 million citizens for four months, equivalent to the average daily wage. President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the plan at a cabinet meeting, promising that price increases would be fully compensated and urging direct engagement with citizens. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei acknowledged the legitimacy of economic grievances while warning that rioters would not be tolerated.
Reportedly at least 12 people including security personnel have been killed since the protests began, although NGOs warn the actual toll may be higher.
