Donald Trump has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing protests in Iran, stating that the United States will intervene if peaceful demonstrators are harmed. This statement was met with serious backlash from Iranian officials, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi labeling Trump's comments as "reckless and dangerous." Araghchi's response highlights the escalating tensions between the two nations amidst a backdrop of civil unrest in Iran.
In a brief social media post, President Trump expressed that the U.S. is "locked and loaded and ready to go" in the event of violence against peaceful protesters. This warning came as protests over Iran's struggling economy intensified, resulting in at least eight reported deaths by Saturday morning. Trump stated, "If Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," although he did not clarify what specific actions the U.S. would undertake.
In response to Trump's comments, Araghchi asserted that Iran's armed forces are prepared and know precisely where to target in the event of a U.S. attack. He emphasized that Iran would firmly reject any foreign interference in their internal matters. "Given President Trump's deployment of the National Guard within U.S. borders, he should understand that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated," Araghchi remarked on social media platform X.
The protests initially erupted in Tehran, ignited by shopkeepers' frustration over another significant decline in the value of the Iranian currency, the rial, against the U.S. dollar. As the protests gained momentum, they spread to various cities and towns, with reports of running battles between security forces and demonstrators. By Tuesday, university students joined the protests, which increasingly featured chants against the country’s clerical rulers.
Reports indicate that violence has escalated during the protests. In the southwestern city of Lordegan, two individuals were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, identified by the semi-official Fars news agency and human rights organization Hengaw as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh. Additionally, three fatalities were reported in Azna, and another in Kouhdasht, with conflicting reports regarding whether the deceased were demonstrators or security personnel. Other casualties were reported in Fuladshahr and Marvdasht, adding to the growing toll of the unrest.
As the situation unfolds, the BBC has noted that it has not been able to independently verify the death tolls reported by various sources. The Iranian police have also stated that they will not permit "enemies" to turn the unrest into chaos, indicating a commitment to suppress the protests as they continue to evolve.