Clashes between demonstrators and police broke out on Tuesday in the bazaar of Tehran, the economic heart of the country, for the first time since the start of the protests which shook Iran and which left at least 27 dead.

Published on: 01/06/2026 - 6:31 p.m. Modified on: 01/06/2026 - 9:37 p.m.

"Freedom! Freedom!". In the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, where the Iranian protest began and where a new strike was called on Tuesday January 6, incidents opposed demonstrators and police. Dozens of people were dispersed under tear gas by security forces, according to videos released by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and another U.S.-based organization, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRNA).

The movement, which began on December 28 in the capital before spreading to other provinces of the country, left at least 27 dead, including five children, IHR recorded on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, demonstrators also shouted "Pahlavi will return", in reference to the dynasty ousted by the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and "Seyyed Ali will be overthrown", named after the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to images whose authenticity was verified by AFP.

The Fars news agency, for its part, reported “sporadic gatherings” dispersed by the police.

One of its journalists estimated the number of people chanting slogans at around 150 people.

Parts of the bazaar, notably the gold market, were closed "from midday" as a sign of "protest against the rise in foreign currency rates and price instability", according to Fars.

Other demonstrations were held elsewhere in the country, notably in Abdanan (west), where, according to a video posted by HRNA, a large crowd marching in the city chanted slogans against the power, such as: "This is the last message, the entire regime is the target".

Also read: In Iran, young people on the front lines of protests are paying the high price of repression

“More than 1,000 arrests”

Since the start of the movement, "at least 27 protesters have been killed by shooting or other forms of violence perpetrated by security forces in eight provinces," IHR wrote on its website, adding that more than 1,000 people had been arrested.

The west of the country is particularly affected: security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Malekshahi county on Saturday, killing six people, according to IHR.

Before taking over the main hospital in this province the following day to arrest injured demonstrators. The presidency ordered an investigation into this raid.

According to IHR, another hospital in Tehran was the target of an operation by security forces on Tuesday, who fired tear gas.

For their part, Iranian media relaying official announcements report 13 deaths on the 10th day of demonstrations, including members of the security forces. A police officer was shot and killed Tuesday near Malekshahi, according to Fars.

Also read: Demonstrations in Iran: broken trust between the regime and part of the population?

Standoff with a weakened regime

Initially linked to the cost of living, the movement is the most significant since that triggered at the end of 2022 by the death in detention of Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating the strict women's dress code.

It affects or has affected at least 45 towns, mainly small and medium-sized, especially in the west of the country, according to an AFP count based on official and media announcements.

Without being comparable at this stage to the “Women, Life, Freedom” mobilization of 2022-2023, it poses a significant challenge to guide Ali Khamenei, 86 years old and in power since 1989.

It comes at a time when the country is weakened after the war with Israel in June and the blows to several of its regional allies, while the UN reinstated sanctions linked to Iran's nuclear program in September.

The government of President Massoud Pezeshkian announced on Sunday monthly aid of 10 million rials (around six euros) per person, for four months, to "reduce the economic pressure on the population".

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But the Iranian justice system warned that it would show “no leniency” towards the rioters.

Many people were notably arrested in the town of Yassouj, in the west, where several demonstrations have taken place in recent days, according to videos on social networks.

In its thread on

“The Islamic Republic must hear the voice of its people and immediately release all detainees,” according to this message.

With AFP

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