Iranian Bazaar Traders Protest Amidst Ongoing Unrest

Tehran Protests Continue

On January 6, 2026, shops in Tehran's historic bazaar remained closed due to massive protests. In his first public statement following the outbreak of these protests, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei attempted to distinguish between the "legitimate" grievances of the bazaar and the open rebellion occurring nationwide. "Talk to the protesters; officials need to engage with them, but there is no point in talking to the insurgents. The insurgents need to be dealt with," he stated.

Khamenei praised the bazaar traders as "among the most loyal sectors" of the Islamic Republic, asserting that the state's enemies could not use the bazaar as a vehicle to contest the system. However, his words failed to conceal the reality on the ground. Protests continue in Tehran's bazaar, and authorities have resorted to using tear gas against demonstrators chanting anti-state slogans, some directed against the Supreme Leader himself.

These events highlight the limitations of the state's control over the narrative. Over the years, the bazaar has played a crucial role in the 1979 revolution that ousted Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, and its historical loyalty no longer guarantees political calm. Economic instability and favoritism towards the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have led to a deterioration of the traders' position, evidenced by the recent protests.

From Power to Marginalization

Immediately after the 1979 revolution, bazaar traders were integrated into the power structures of the new state, gaining influence over key institutions. However, economic policies over the past decades, particularly privatizations and international sanctions, have led to a progressive erosion of their power. Once a bastion of the regime, the bazaar has become a victim of a dysfunctional systemic economy.

A Warning Signal for the Regime

The protests in the bazaar do not represent an anomaly but a warning. They reveal a long-term political and economic transformation that undermines the very traditional base of the state. The regime, which has relied on the bazaar's loyalty in times of crisis, now faces a challenge it cannot ignore.

While there is potential for a restoration of relations, easing sanctions or reducing the economic power of the IRGC is increasingly difficult to achieve. The United States and Europe remain tense regarding Iran's nuclear program, and pressure on bazaar traders remains high. Thus, the regime finds itself forced to resort to repression, which risks further alienating the traditional constitution it has depended on for stability and loyalty.