Iranian traders protest inflation, rising living costs

By Ahmet Yusuf

ISTANBUL (AA) - Dozens of Iranian traders staged a demonstration on Monday outside the parliament building in Tehran to protest worsening economic conditions.

According to Iranian media outlets, demonstrators decried rising costs of living, calling on politicians to resolve the country’s chronic economic woes.

In Iran’s eastern Hormuzgan province, meanwhile, local traders called a general strike in a show of support for their protesting colleagues in the capital.

In a related context, Deputy Parliament Speaker Massoud Bezishkian called for the imposition of a state of emergency with a view to swiftly addressing the country’s economic crisis.

“We must combat corruption by declaring a state of emergency,” Bezishkian told reporters in the northern city of Tabriz.

Iran continues to face a host of serious economic challenges, including high unemployment and a weakening currency, due to longstanding U.S. sanctions.

Many Iranian traders and importers face difficulties obtaining foreign currency, which they need to pay for imported commodities.