Shopkeepers in Tehran close their stores, take to the streets in protest over economic situation

Some shopkeepers in Tehran have closed their stores in protest against economic hardships and sharp swings in Iran’s embattled currency, Iranian media reports, following similar demonstrations yesterday.

State news agency IRNA says some shopkeepers and traders at Tehran’s bazaar “have closed or partially closed their stores,” adding that “some people chanted slogans in protest against the currency rate and the economic situation.”

The ILNA news agency also reports a shopkeepers’ protest “against economic and livelihood pressures” at the bazaar, publishing images of traders gathering in the streets.

Videos received by Iran International show Tehran shopkeepers extending walkouts and street protests on Monday, with closures and gatherings reported across multiple commercial districts as anger grows over worsening economic conditions and currency market turmoil.

Footage shows… pic.twitter.com/AdodxMmxs9

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) December 29, 2025

Iran’s currency has hit new lows on the unofficial market, with the US dollar trading at around 1.42 million rials on Sunday — compared to 820,000 rials a year ago — and the euro nearing 1.7 million rials, according to price monitoring websites.

The rates have eased somewhat today, with the US dollar at around 1.39 million rials and the euro at about 1.64 million rials.

AFP correspondents say some traders, particularly import-reliant electronics vendors, had temporarily halted sales or shifted their pricing online, enabling them to more easily make adjustments as the exchange rate fluctuates.

Yesterday, the ISNA news agency says, a group of shopkeepers and mobile phone vendors at a main shopping center in Tehran “protested against sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate and the damage caused to the mobile phone market” by briefly shutting their shops.

Traders tell ILNA that exchange rate volatility has made it difficult to set prices or finalize deals, with one protester quoted as saying they were selling items to cover their costs “but price swings prevent us from replacing our goods.”

The semi-official Fars news agency warns that the limited protest gatherings risk leading to instability.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered the budget for the next Persian year to the parliament yesterday, vowing to fight inflation and the high cost of living.