0600 GMT: After the turmoil of Wednesday --- with an effective suspension of Rial-Dollar trade, the closing of the Tehran Bazaar, and the first notable public protests in the capital in 18 months --- the regime's hope was to get to today, the Iranian weekend, without further trouble.
Thursday was quiet, though tense. The ban on publication of open-market Rial-Dollar rates continued. Up to 90% of the shops in the Bazaar were reportedly shut, but there was no further display of anger and frustration. Politicians muted the in-fighting, although three Grand Ayatollahs tore into the Government for the country's economic problems. The Supreme Leader put out a general statement on the necessity to stand up to the "enemy", while in a token show of authority, the judiciary said 16 "ringleaders" --- illegal currency traders --- of the economic tension were arrested.
The regime will look to the Tehran Friday Prayer to rally the public, as it takes advantage of the normal break in the week's work and trade. But then it will face the challenge: can it fulfil the promise to re-open the Tehran Bazaar "as normal" on Saturday? Can it restore the currency exchange "as normal"?
Posted via email from lissping
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