Iran foreign ministry has sharply criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that the United States would intervene if peaceful demonstrators are killed, labeling the message “reckless and dangerous.”
In a terse social media message, Trump wrote that Washington “will come to their rescue” amid ongoing demonstrations triggered by economic grievances and a plunging national currency. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he added, though he did not elaborate on what actions the U.S. might take.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by asserting that Iran’s armed forces remain vigilant and “know exactly where to aim” should they face an attack. Araghchi also referenced Trump’s use of the National Guard during domestic unrest in the United States, suggesting the former president should understand that “criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated.” He stressed that Iran will “forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs.”
An Iranian police spokesman echoed the government’s firm stance, saying that security forces will prevent what they describe as “enemies” from exploiting the unrest to sow chaos.
Protests Spread Broadly Across Iran
The protests, which began in Tehran, have expanded to numerous cities and towns, with clashes reported between demonstrators and security personnel. The unrest initially erupted over the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial against the U.S. dollar, prompting frustration among merchants and citizens alike.
By midweek, students and wider sections of the public had joined the demonstrations, with chants directed at the country’s clerical leadership.
According to reports from Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency and human rights group Hengaw, at least eight people have died in connection with the protests, though the BBC has not independently verified these deaths. Victims reportedly include two protesters killed in the south-western city of Lordegan, identified as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh, and additional fatalities in other western cities such as Azna and Kouhdasht. Other deaths have been reported in Fuladshahr and Marvdasht.
Government Officials Respond
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that the government will heed the “legitimate demands” of the protestors. In contrast, Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that any efforts to destabilize the nation would face a “decisive response.”
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has urged the U.N. Security Council to condemn Trump’s comments. In a letter to the U.N. secretary-general and the council’s president, Iravani said Tehran “will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately” and placed responsibility for any resulting escalation squarely on the United States, according to Reuters.