How Iran's flagging economy inflamed its protests

NPR. As we speak, US Navy troops are in a state of waiting. They're telling their husbands, wives, and children that they're going to be away from home for more months. That's because last week, news broke that the US government told a second aircraft carrier group to go to The Middle East. President Trump is imploring Iran to make a deal on its nuclear weapons and missiles programs. Iran's leadership is in a vulnerable position. This comes off the back of massive countrywide protests that swept the nation around New Year's. They've mostly been called for now because of a bloody crackdown by the Iranian government. So far, activists say that at least 7,000 protesters were killed. There are many reasons for those huge protests, censorship, religious discrimination, corruption, but the initial seed of these protests was economic. It started with shopkeepers frustrated with inflation and a currency collapse. This is The Indicator from Planet Money. I'm Whelan Wong. And I'm Darien Woods. Today on the show, the economic roots of Iran's protests. We speak with a small business owner in Tehran, and we learn why Iran is in such an economic mess. This message comes from Mint Mobile. This holiday season, stop overpaying for wireless and switch to Mint. Shop 50% off unlimited plans at mintmobile.com/switch. Limited time offer, upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months, or $180 for twelve months. Taxes and fees extra. Initial plan term only. Above 35 gigabytes. Network may slow when busy. Capable device required. Availability, speed, and coverage varies. See mintmobile.com. This message comes from Kachaba. That wellness goal you set at the start of the year, it's not too late to stick with it and make your future self proud, especially with the all in one nutrition shake from Kachaba. With 25 grams of protein, six grams of fiber, greens, adaptogens, and more. No fillers, no nonsense, just the highest quality ingredients. Stick with your wellness goals. Go to kachava.com and use code NPR for 15% off. That's kachava.com code NPR. This message comes from Mint Mobile. This holiday season, stop overpaying for wireless and switch to Mint. Shop 50% off unlimited plans at mintmobile.com/switch. Limited time offer, upfront payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months, or $180 for twelve months, Taxes and fees extra. Initial plan term only. Above 35 gigabytes, network may slow when busy. Capable device required. Availability, speed, and coverage varies. See mintmobile.com. If you were dropped down from the sky onto Central Tehran, you might find yourself at the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is a gigantic marketplace of interlocking corridors. It's where wholesalers and retailers sell shoes and fabrics and cleaning supplies. And just outside the Grand Bazaar, you might find a workshop owned by Ali and his family. My parents, my grandparents, as much as I know about my background, they they were all from Bazaar. Ali asked NPR not to use his full name because he …