Unease, anger grip Iran

TEHRAN, Iran — Just one shop among the thousands in Tehran’s sprawling Grand Bazaar can offer a tableau of the darkening mood descending across Iran as American sanctions again take hold.

A salesman who wants to move to Europe for a better life shows off his pots and pans to a mother now struggling to pay for the gifts she wanted before her daughter’s marriage amid the collapse of Iran’s rial currency. Another salesman loudly blames internal politics and corruption for the country’s woes. Muttered curses and even shouts against the government follow the journalists talking to them.

While only a small moment in a nation of 80 million people, it shows the dangers ahead for the government of the relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani. His nuclear deal with world powers has become a noose that hard-liners gleefully tighten. The sporadic and leaderless protests the nation has seen over its worsening economy threaten to roar back to life at any time.

That has many expecting the worst is yet to come.

“It has become more difficult, but we need to lower our expectations,” said Kiana Ismaili, 26, shopping ahead of her wedding.

For centuries, Iran’s bazaar has been the beating heart of both its economic and political life. While some now go to the Western-style mega-malls, the Grand Bazaar’s narrow alleys, cramped stalls and wandering musicians still draw crowds of thousands.

Strikes in Iran’s bazaar also have served as political bellwethers.