Iran says it can handle fresh sanctions amid national strike
LONDON - President Hassan Rouhani promised Iranians on Tuesday the government would be able to handle the economic pressure of new U.S. sanctions amid a second day of demonstrations in protest at financial hardship and a weakening rial.
Parts of Tehran's Grand Bazaar were on strike for the second day running, state media reported, after traders massed outside parliament on Monday to complain about a sharp fall in the value of the national currency.
Video footage posted on social media showed protesters setting fire to garbage dumpsters in Tehran streets to block riot police from attacking them. Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of the footage.
Other videos showed riot police breaking windows of closed shops, and striking parked motorcycles with batons. The police has accused protesters in recent days of causing damage to public property.
Metro stations near the bazaar were closed for hours as the result of protests, state media reported.
Pictures also showed shopkeepers were on strike in other cities including Arak, Shiraz, Tabriz and Kermanshah.
