Overview
- Demonstrations spread from Tehran’s bazaar to university campuses, with rallies reported in Isfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad and shop closures in key commercial areas.
- The rial fell to roughly 1.4 million per US dollar on the open market before a slight rebound, while official data show year-on-year inflation around 42% and food prices up about 72%.
- President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed the interior minister to engage protesters, as spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said a dialogue mechanism would be set up with protest leaders.
- Central bank governor Mohammad-Reza Farzin resigned and was replaced by former finance minister Abdolnaser Hemmati, part of a rapid response to the market turmoil.
- Security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds and a heavy police presence was reported, as officials also announced temporary closures to conserve energy during severe cold; sanctions, a UN snapback and June’s regional strikes were widely cited as drivers of the crisis.