Bazaar Behavior: Iran Protests Erupt as Merchants Shut Down Tehran Markets in Open Defiance of Regime
The protests sweeping Tehran’s historic bazaar districts are not isolated flare-ups—they mark the latest stage in a national uprising threatening the mullahs’ grip on power. Bazaar merchants have staged consecutive days of strikes, shutting down major markets and chanting slogans demanding the end of the clerical regime. These demonstrations, initially sparked by economic despair—plummeting currency, runaway inflation, and widespread unemployment—have quickly gained momentum, signaling broader societal unrest.
Shirin Nariman, former political prisoner in Iran, Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad and Dr. Kazem Kazerounian, as well as NCRI’s Shahin Gobadi and Ali Safavi are available for interviews to discuss the potential of reaching the Iranian people’s breaking point.
The unrest goes beyond financial grievances. Once critical mass is reached, all of Iran’s accumulated frustrations—political repression, human rights abuses, and systemic corruption—are expected to erupt with equal force. The chants echoing through Tehran’s streets, from “Death to the dictator” to calls for regime change, reflect a populace ready to challenge decades of oppression. Past protest movements have shown that when ordinary citizens, students, and workers unite around shared grievances, resistance spreads rapidly and relentlessly.
At the same time, the Iranian regime is displaying signs of acute desperation. Leaders have escalated rhetoric to unprecedented levels, declaring threats against Israel, Europe, and the United States. Reports indicate the regime is even threatening the potential use of biological and chemical weapons, underscoring how cornered it feels. These aggressive postures are not signs of strength—they are hallmarks of a government trapped, fearful, and acutely aware that its days may be numbered.
For the NCRI, this moment represents both a danger and an opportunity. Spokesmen can provide critical context, explaining why the current unrest is likely to grow, how it could ignite broader political change, and why the regime’s external threats are intrinsically linked to its internal fragility. From economic collapse to cultural resistance, this uprising reveals a regime at its breaking point, one that knows it cannot endure indefinitely against the will of its people.
This story demands authoritative interpretation: Iran is facing a confluence of internal revolt and external belligerence, and the NCRI offers unique insight into the forces shaping this pivotal moment. The unfolding events in Tehran are not merely economic protests—they are a spark that could ignite a nationwide push for liberation, signaling a historic turning point for the Iranian people.
Speakers Available:
Shirin Nariman – Former Political Prisoner in Iran
Shahin Gobadi – Member of NCRI Parliament in Exile
Other Speakers Available:
Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad – Iranian American Scholar and Cybersecurity Executive
Dr. Kazem Kazerounian – Dean of College of Engineering; expert on Iran’s Nuclear program
Related Article(s)
Tehran Bazaar Uprising Continues for Second Day, Spreading Across the Capital – NCRI
Iran develops chemical and biological warheads as domestic unrest grows | Fox News
Iran in ‘full-scale’ war with US, Israel and Europe, president says – ABC News
Optional Q&A
- How significant is the Tehran bazaar uprising historically, given the bazaar’s role in past Iranian revolutions?
- Why do economic protests in Iran so often become catalysts for broader political revolt against the regime?
- What signs suggest these protests could reach critical mass and spread beyond merchants to workers, students, and civil servants?
- How is the regime responding internally, and what does that response reveal about its level of fear or desperation?
- Why is the regime escalating threats against Israel, Europe, and the United States at the same time protests are expanding at home?
- How credible are reports that the regime is threatening biological or chemical weapons deployment, and what does that signal internationally?
- What role does organized resistance play in sustaining momentum once protests move beyond economic grievances?
- If the protests continue to grow, what does the NCRI believe the endgame looks like for the mullahs’ regime?
ABOUT SHIRIN NARIMAN…
Shirin Nariman is a former political prisoner from Iran, human rights advocate, and entrepreneur.
At just 15 years old, during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, she became involved in pro-democracy activities and supported the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). Less than two years later, she was arrested for her activism—becoming one of the youngest political prisoners of her time and enduring severe torture in Evin Prison. Her case drew international attention and intervention from the Red Cross.
During her imprisonment, Shirin witnessed the regime’s brutality firsthand, including the executions of children, elderly women, and pregnant prisoners. After her release, she eventually sought refuge in the United States, where she has dedicated her life to advocating for human rights, women’s rights, and a free, democratic, non-nuclear Iran.
Shirin holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and has worked with leading wireless and financial corporations.
ABOUT DR. MOHAMMAD H. TASOOJI…
Dr. Mohammad H. Tasooji, a professor at California State University San Marcos, is an accomplished engineer, educator, and industry leader. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an M.S. in Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University, and a Doctorate in Communication Systems from USC. Dr. Tasooji has held senior management roles at leading technology firms, including Qualcomm, Ericsson, Gtran Wireless, and Nokia. He contributes to clean-energy innovation as CEO of Sienza Energy.
ABOUT SHAHIN GOBADI…
Shahin Gobadi, a U.S.-educated nuclear engineer, is a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s Parliament-in-Exile.
An astute observer of Iranian affairs for over three decades, Gobadi is an expert on topics including Iranian state-sponsored terrorism, proxy groups in the Middle East, the Iranian nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, Western policy toward Iran, and internal Iranian affairs.
He has been interviewed by major international media outlets, including CNN, Fox News, BBC, Sky TV, GB News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Reuters, and the Associated Press. Gobadi’s writings have appeared in prominent media across the U.S. and Europe.
ABOUT DR. RAMESH SEPEHRRAD…
Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad is a leading Iranian-American scholar, published author, cybersecurity executive, and human rights advocate, known for her tireless efforts to advance a non-nuclear, secular, and democratic republic in Iran. As Chair of the Advisory Board of the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), she plays a pivotal role in bipartisan majority of congressional advocacy, including support for various house resolutions, which endorses the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and Maryam Rajavi’s ten-point plan.
Born in Shiraz, Iran, Ramesh’s commitment to justice is deeply personal. Her family endured brutal persecution under both the Shah’s monarchy and the current theocratic regime. Several relatives were imprisoned, tortured, or executed for their opposition to tyranny—an experience that has shaped her life’s mission to amplify the voices of Iran’s oppressed.
After seeking refuge in the United States in 1985, Dr. Sepehrrad earned a B.S. in Computer Science from SUNY Buffalo, an M.A. in Political Science, and a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. She has also taught graduate courses on conflict, gender, and human rights at George Mason, University of Connecticut where she was inducted as the Distinguished Engineer, and University of Baltimore.
Professionally, she has held senior executive roles in cybersecurity and risk management where she has earned numerous industry awards and recognition.
Through academic rigor, policy engagement, and grassroots mobilization, Dr. Sepehrrad is a compelling voice for democratic change in Iran—rejecting both monarchy and theocracy in favor of a republic rooted in gender equality, human rights and the rule of law.
ABOUT DR. KAZEM KAZEROUNIAN…
Dr. Kazem Kazerounian is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut and served as Dean of the College of Engineering from 2012 to 2024.
He is a member of The Free Iran Scholars Network. A passionate advocate for democracy and human rights, Dr. Kazerounian is also an expert on Iran and the Middle East, particularly regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, and human rights situation in Iran. He has contributed widely through scholarly articles, invited talks, and media interviews on regional affairs and the democratic movement in Iran.
Nationally, he has held leadership roles with ASEE and ASME, shaping engineering policy and education. His honors include the ASME Mechanisms and Robotics Award, AIMBE Fellowship, and induction into the Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering.
An ASME Fellow, his research spans kinematics, robotics, and biomechanics. He has authored over 160 scholarly works and co-founded AcademicKeys.com and AcademicJournal.com, a professional platform and an online journal for academics.
ABOUT ALI SAFAVI…
Ali Safavi is a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iran’s Parliament-in-Exile.
A sociologist by training, Safavi studied and taught at UCLA, California State University Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan. He was an active participant in the anti-Shah student movement in the 1970s in the United States and has been deeply engaged in Iranian affairs ever since.
Safavi has lectured and written extensively on Iran, Iraq, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and Middle Eastern politics. He has appeared in interviews on networks such as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, BBC, Sky TV, Newsmax, and France 24. His articles and commentary have been published in leading outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Boston Herald, The Washington Times, and The Financial Times.
This material is distributed by Special Guests Publicity LLC on behalf of National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) / Media Strategy Consulting LTD. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. CONTACT: For further details or to arrange the interview, please contact Jerry McGlothlin at 919-437-0001 / Bookings@SeasonalLiving.com
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