Protester stands ground as security forces move on Tehran market unrest

Iran’s interior ministry on Monday blamed recent currency volatility on what it described as hostile psychological operations, as pressure on the rial intensifies amid public discontent.

Ali-Akbar Pourjamshidian, the security and law enforcement deputy to the interior minister, said fluctuations in foreign exchange markets were driven not by fundamentals but by “enemy inducements” and a manufactured psychological climate, urging the public not to be swayed by what he called external propaganda.

Pourjamshidian’s comments reflect a broader narrative within the government that links economic instability to national security, at a time when authorities face mounting pressure to stabilize markets and address rising living costs without signaling vulnerability.

Iranian state-linked media on Monday portrayed strikes by Tehran shopkeepers as part of a foreign-backed effort to destabilize the country, as protests over the collapsing rial and rising prices entered a second day.

Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, quoted an unnamed official at the Intelligence Ministry as saying the protests followed a “security destabilization scenario” orchestrated by Iran’s adversaries.

“The pattern of small cells appearing in trade gatherings to steer them in a radical direction is exactly in line with the enemy’s security-destabilization scenario,” the official was quoted as saying. “The aim is to turn economic criticism into political instability.”

Fars said analysts linked to the outlet viewed the unrest reminder as part of a broader campaign that began with what it described as “maximum pressure” sanctions and has now entered a phase focused on undermining internal security.

“Economic pressure, then incitement to protest, and finally instability – this is the enemy’s strategic triangle against the Islamic Republic,” the agency said.

Security forces fired tear gas at protesting shopkeepers in Tehran’s Bagh-e Sepahsalar area on Monday, according to a video received by Iran International.

The incident occurred as merchants who had closed their shops gathered to protest worsening economic conditions and the rial’s sharp decline, with demonstrations continuing into a second day across parts of the capital.

Iran’s judiciary warned on Monday that it would pursue and punish individuals accused of disrupting the country’s economic system, as authorities face mounting pressure from a collapsing currency, high inflation and widening public unrest.

Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said those whose actions increase pressure on people’s livelihoods – whether deliberately or not – would be warned and, if they persist, prosecuted, according to remarks carried by state media.

“Those who, knowingly or unknowingly, put added pressure on people and their livelihoods and effectively move in the direction of the enemy’s objectives must be cautioned,” Ejei said. “If they do not heed these warnings, they must be seriously pursued and punished by the relevant authorities.”

Ejei framed economic disruptions as part of what he described as coordinated “psychological and economic pressure” by Iran’s adversaries, saying judicial authorities must respond decisively.

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Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said those whose actions increase pressure on people’s livelihoods – whether deliberately or not – would be warned and, if they persist, prosecuted, according to remarks carried by state media.

“Those who, knowingly or unknowingly, put added pressure on people and their livelihoods and effectively move in the direction of the enemy’s objectives must be cautioned,” Ejei said. “If they do not heed these warnings, they must be seriously pursued and punished by the relevant authorities.”

Ejei framed economic disruptions as part of what he described as coordinated “psychological and economic pressure” by Iran’s adversaries, saying judicial authorities must respond decisively.

He cited laws allowing harsh penalties for acts deemed to constitute “corruption on earth,” a charge that can carry the death penalty, including in cases of large-scale economic disruption.

He said penalties such as fines were insufficient in the current climate. “These fines are not deterrent,” Ejei said, calling for punishments proportionate to current conditions.

The judiciary chief also stressed that responsibility extended beyond traders to officials who enable economic violations. He warned that individuals inside government bodies who facilitate hoarding, smuggling or currency abuses would face prosecution.

Addressing currency volatility, Ejei said authorities must identify those responsible for market instability.

He cited figures from central bank officials indicating that around $18 billion in export revenues had not been returned to the country.

The warning comes amid sharp falls in the rial, accelerating inflation and protests by shopkeepers in Tehran over rising costs and economic mismanagement.