Bazaar Strikes Symptomatic Of Dissatisfaction With Economy

October 2008 | Political Risk Alert

While the government's decision to hold off for two months the introduction of a 3% value-added tax appears to have brought to an end a week of strikes in Tehran's main bazaar today (October 13), the extent of the protests, which have been replicated across Iran's main cities, demonstrates the general dissatisfaction with the regime's economic management. The symbolism of the strikes is noteworthy as bazaar traders had not closed down to such an extent since the 1979 Islamic revolution, when they played a significant role in overthrowing the Shah. While we are not implying the imminent ousting of the

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