Tear Gas Fired at Tehran Grand Bazaar as Iran Protests Enter Second Week, Currency Hits New Low

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Iranian security forces confronted large demonstrations at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on Tuesday with tear gas and a heavy police presence, as nationwide protests entered a second week and the country’s currency plunged to a historic low.

Videos circulating on social media showed crowds gathering inside the bazaar—long considered the beating heart of Iran’s economy—before protesters rushed into surrounding alleyways and a nearby metro station as tear gas spread. Verified footage also showed security forces firing tear gas into the grounds of Sina Hospital, roughly 1.7 miles north of the bazaar, raising alarm among rights groups and medical staff.

Economic Protests Turn Political

The protests began in late December among merchants angered by the rapid collapse of Iran’s currency, but have since taken a sharply political turn. Demonstrators on Tuesday chanted against soaring prices and openly denounced Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with students and workers joining merchants in several cities.

Iran’s economic crisis has been fueled by tightening international sanctions and the government’s refusal to halt uranium enrichment during talks with Washington that could have eased pressure. The situation worsened after last summer’s brief but damaging war with Israel, which further rattled markets and confidence.

On Tuesday, the Iranian rial fell to 1.47 million to the U.S. dollar, marking a roughly 60% loss in value since the summer and driving inflation to new highs.

Rising Death Toll and Arrests

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (Human Rights Activists News Agency, HRANA) reported that at least 29 people have been killed and more than 1,200 arrested as unrest spread to 88 cities. At least four of the dead were under 18, according to Kurdish rights group Hengaw. HRANA also documented dozens of injuries from pellet guns and rubber bullets, as well as videos of what it described as forced confessions aired by state-linked outlets.

Authorities have also imposed localized internet disruptions. Data from Cloudflare showed online traffic in Iran dropped by about 40% on Sunday compared with the previous week, with additional disruptions reported early Tuesday before service largely returned.

Hospitals Targeted, International Condemnation

Rights groups and activists reported that security forces entered hospitals in Tehran and Ilam province to pursue wounded protesters. Amnesty International said firing tear gas inside a hospital violated international law.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi condemned what he called raids on medical centers and killings of unarmed civilians, warning that the regime was “nearing its end.”

Meanwhile, India issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran amid the unrest.

U.S. Warnings and Regional Fallout

U.S. President Donald Trump warned last week that Washington was “locked and loaded” to assist Iranian protesters if authorities began killing peaceful demonstrators. The warning came days before U.S. forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro—an ally of Tehran—raising questions about how far Washington might go in response to events in Iran.

At the same time, pro-government rallies were held in cities such as Isfahan, where participants criticized inflation while chanting anti-American slogans.

A Different Protest Moment

While the current unrest has not yet matched the scale of the 2022–2023 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, analysts note that these demonstrations have rapidly evolved from economic grievances into broader challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership.

Videos from western cities such as Abdanan showed large crowds marching through the streets, with some footage appearing to show police officers refraining from confrontation. Activists even shared unverified images of a Tehran street sign temporarily renamed “Donald J. Trump Street,” underscoring the protest movement’s increasingly defiant tone.

As Iran’s crisis deepens, authorities insist economic complaints are legitimate but say they will not tolerate what they label “rioting.” Protesters, however, show little sign of backing down as the currency slides, arrests mount, and chants against the Islamic Republic’s leadership grow louder.

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