Shopkeepers in Iran’s capital shut stores over economic pain, currency volatility

Some shopkeepers in Tehran closed their stores on Monday in protest against economic hardships and sharp swings in Iran’s embattled currency, Iranian media reported, following similar demonstrations a day earlier.State news agency IRNA said some shopkeepers and traders at Tehran’s bazaar “have closed or partially closed their stores,” adding that “some people chanted slogans in protest against the currency rate and the economic situation.”For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The ILNA agency also reported a shopkeepers’ protest “against economic and livelihood pressures” at the bazaar, publishing images of traders gathering in the streets.Iran’s currency has hit new lows on the unofficial market, with the US dollar trading at around 1.42 million rials on Sunday – compared to 820,000 rials a year ago – and the euro nearing 1.7 million rials, according to price monitoring websites.The rates eased somewhat on Monday, with the US dollar at around