Iranian security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on Tuesday. The demonstrations are the deadliest in three years, with over 27 killed, including five minors, according to Iran Human Rights (IHR). The protests began on December 28, led by merchants shutting down the key economic hub due to anger over rising living costs and the Iranian rial hitting a record low against the dollar. The unrest spread to 17 provinces, especially in western regions with Kurdish and Lor minorities. Protesters chanted slogans like “Pahlavi will return” and “Seyyed Ali will be overthrown,” targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Videos show crowds shouting “freedom” before security forces fired tear gas, forcing them to scatter. Iranian authorities confirmed some security personnel have died, including a policeman killed on Tuesday in Malekshahi by a bullet. Over 1,000 arrests took place nationwide. Human rights groups accused security forces of killing at least six protesters in a single event in Ilam province and raiding hospitals to detain injured demonstrators. President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for an investigation in Ilam. The protests test Iran’s leadership amid deepening economic crisis and months after a brief war with Israel. The rial fell to about 1.47 million to the dollar on the informal market Tuesday, adding economic pressure fueling the unrest.