Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that he has instructed his government to heed the protesters' "legitimate demands" and engage in dialogue with their representatives following the largest demonstrations in three years.
The remarks came after two days of unrest driven largely by anger over the rapidly weakening rial, rising prices, and frustration with the pace of economic relief under continued international sanctions. In Tehran, shopkeepers in and around the Grand Bazaar were among those reported to have protested and staged stoppages. Protesters reportedly chanted "Azadi," the Farsi word for freedom, and "Don't be afraid, we are together."
