Traders, shopkeepers in Tehran protest rial depreciation

Today, a number of merchants and shopkeepers in the Lalehzar Street in downtown ​​Tehran held a protesting rally to protest economic problems, including rising prices and problems with the supply of goods.

The rally began at around 12 noon on Lalehzar Street. A group of merchants and shopkeepers initially called on their fellow traders to close their shops to join the rally. At this stage, some shopkeepers responded positively to their request, while others refused to shut their shops, which in some cases led to quarrel between the pro- and anti-protest traders. 

The protesters continued their way from Lalehzar Street towards Imam Khomeini Square downward and then to Istanbul Crossroads in the nearby, Fars news agency reporter said.

Fars reported that some protesters blocked the streets when the security forces intervened to reopen the streets blocked by the angry traders and shopkeepers.

According to the Fars reporters, on their way, the angry traders and shopkeepers pushed their way and pressured the shoppers who had kept their stores open despite their calls. there were some sporadic clashes between the two sides when security forces intervened to end the clashes. /mehr