For 2nd day, Iranian merchants demonstrate in Tehran

By Narges Rezai and Ahmet Dursun

TEHRAN (AA) - Merchants in Tehran staged a demonstration on Tuesday -- for the second consecutive day -- to protest worsening economic conditions.

Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi, Tehran’s chief prosecutor, was quoted by local media as saying that dozens of demonstrators had been detained for “disturbing the peace”.

Merchants in Tehran have been holding demonstrations since Monday to protest rising costs of living.

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

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

In a related development, the Iranian Students News Agency reported on Tuesday that a number of MPs had signed a motion of censure against Economic Affairs Minister Masoud Karbasian for alleged financial mismanagement.