Iran's Grand Bazaar Erupts as Cost-of-Living Protests Intensify

Security forces used tear gas against demonstrators holding a sit-in at Tehran's Grand Bazaar on Tuesday, according to reports. The clash marks a significant escalation in protests now entering their tenth day. The demonstrations began over a sudden increase in the cost of basic goods. The protests have spread from several cities to the capital's historic market, a traditional center of Iranian commerce and political activity. There has been no official comment from the government on the reported incident at the bazaar. The ongoing unrest represents one of the most sustained public challenges to authorities in recent years, driven primarily by economic hardship.