"Iranian state media aired footage on Monday showing extensive destruction at Rasht’s main market in northern Iran, which officials said was set ablaze. The footage filmed both by drone and from the ground, shows large sections of the market destroyed by fire. The broadcaster said the images were recorded 72 hours after the blaze. State media described the market as a key source of income for hundreds of families, saying it now 'sinks in bitter silence'. “It was the holiday season, so we had prepared everything and stocked the shop with goods and filled the warehouse. I swear to God, the losses in this place alone exceeded 15 to 20 billion tomans, and nothing is left but ashes,” a shop owner said. Official media accused 'armed terrorists' of carrying out the arson attack. No independent confirmation was available regarding the cause of the fire. Iran has been experiencing widespread protests since late December, beginning in Tehran and later spreading to other cities, driven by worsening economic conditions and the sharp decline of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. In several locations, protests have escalated into riots and vandalism targeting public property. State media has reported that more than 100 police officers have been killed since the unrest began, a figure that could not be independently verified. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian announced economic plans to deal with the 'people's demands' on Sunday, but also accused the US of trying to 'sow chaos and disorder'. On Friday, Donald Trump told Iran's authorities they "better not start shooting, because we'll start shooting too", having previously warned that he could intervene following any potential crackdown."