Unrest over economic hardships: How ordinary Iranians are coping

Government supporters during a rally in Teheran on Nov 25 to condemn days of “rioting” that Iran blames on its foreign foes. Iran had raised the price of petrol last month, triggering nationwide protests.- AFP

THE ancient city of Shiraz in Iran’s Fars province, famed for its literary history and gardens, draws poetry-loving Iranians to the mausoleums of revered mediaeval poets Hafiz and Sa’adi.

But recently, this historic seat of Persian civilisation has been convulsed by protests after the authorities raised prices of petrol by up to 50%.