The market is on the verge of another explosion; Tehran merchants call for the 40th death toll and the continuation of the national uprising

The Tehran market's call for the fortieth death toll is a clear sign that not only has the national uprising not died down, but that popular protests have entered a new phase.

Following the wave of nationwide dissatisfaction and the bloody suppression of the protests on January 8 and 9, a group of merchants in Tehran's Grand Bazaar have issued an official call announcing the holding of a ceremony to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the deaths of those who died in these protests; a call that is being cited as a serious sign of the continuation and reproduction of popular protests and the return of the bazaar as one of the historical centers of social and political developments in Iran.

Based on this call, which has been circulating among marketers and social media in recent days, Tehran market merchants have explicitly invited the families of those who died in the nationwide protests to attend the 40th ceremony.

The full text of this call is as follows:

"All grieving families whose loved ones died in the January 8 and 9 uprisings are invited to rise up for revenge at the 40th martyrs' ceremony in the bazaar. Nationwide attendance time: Wednesday, February 19 for the 40th martyrs of January 8 and Thursday, February 19 for the 40th martyrs of January 19, from 12 noon until the end of the night. Gathering location: Tehran, all bazaars and streets of Tehran and other cities: in the main bazaars and centers of each city."

The release of this call comes at a time when the January protests were met with widespread repression, direct shooting of protesters, internet shutdowns, and mass arrests, and thousands of citizens lost their lives in various cities. Despite this level of government violence, the new Bazaar call shows that the protest movement has not only not stopped, but is redefining itself as a historic symbol of civil resistance.

The market has always played a decisive role in political developments in contemporary Iranian history, and its re-entry into the protest scene, from the perspective of observers, is a sign of the spread of dissatisfaction from social strata to the country's economic body. In this context, many assess this call not as a temporary event, but rather as a renewed call for a national and popular uprising; an uprising rooted in pent-up anger, collective grief, and a demand for justice.

However, at the same time, serious concerns have been raised about the possibility of a recurrence of violence and an increase in the number of victims. The experience of previous protests has shown that the security forces of the Islamic Republic have not hesitated to use deadly force even when faced with peaceful gatherings. Therefore, human rights activists warn that this call could put the lives of more citizens at risk.

In such circumstances, attention is focused on the response of the international community, human rights institutions, and international media. Silence or indifference to this call and its possible consequences could lead to a repetition of the cycle of violence and impunity for the perpetrators of repression.

Observers emphasize that global support, widespread media coverage, and diplomatic pressure could play an important role in reducing the human cost of these protests.

The call of the Tehran bazaar merchant, regardless of its harsh and protesting tone, carries a clear message: "The national uprising of the Iranian people has not been extinguished." Mourning has not turned into silence, and the fortieth death toll has once again become a point for re-examining public anger and demanding change.