Iran: Thousands protest economic conditions in Tehran June 25

Event

Iranian police dispersed protesters with tear gas in Tehran on Monday, June 25. The protest erupted spontaneously in Tehran's Grand Bazaar in response to a sudden drop in the Iranian rial's value (IRR), forcing stalls to close. Demonstrators marched through Tehran's streets, eventually reaching the Iranian parliament building. Local sources reported that protesters also questioned Iran's involvement in Syria. Sizable street protests in Tehran continued late into Monday evening. Further protests are possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Fears of US sanctions on Iran are contributing to IRR's fall, which has lost roughly half of its value since the beginning of 2018. The Iranian government announced an import ban June 25 on over 1300 products that can be produced domestically rather than imported, indicating that Iran may return to a "resistance economy" such as that which Iran operated until 2016 during the previous round of international sanctions.

Iran has witnessed a multitude of protests over various grievances in cities across the country since December 2017. In December 2017 and January 2018, Iran experienced the largest demonstrations expressing public dissatisfaction with the economic and sociopolitical status quo since the Green Movement protests of 2009. Those protests - some of which called for Shi'a clerical leaders to step down - resulted in dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests. In recent months, protests and strikes have also been held over water issues, insufficient wages, political prisoners, border closures, political administration issues, poor university administration, and mismanagement of financial institutions.

Advice

Individuals in Iran, particularly in Tehran, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, strictly avoid all protests and demonstrations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.