Iran Condemns Trump’s Threat Over Protests as ‘Reckless’
Foreign Minister warns against US interference
TEHRAN — Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, called US President Donald Trump’s warning over ongoing protests “reckless and dangerous,” following Trump’s statement that Washington would intervene if peaceful demonstrators were harmed.
Trump wrote on social media: “If Iran violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.” He did not specify what actions Washington might take.
In response, Araghchi said Iran’s armed forces are on alert and “know exactly where to aim” if an attack occurs. He added that Iran will “forcefully reject any interference in its internal affairs” and criticized Trump’s remarks as hypocritical, referencing the US deployment of the National Guard to address domestic unrest.
Escalating Protests
The protests, which began over the collapse of the Iranian rial, have spread from Tehran to multiple cities and towns. Initial demonstrations by shopkeepers have expanded to include university students and wider public participation, with anti-government slogans emerging in several areas.
At least eight people have reportedly died during clashes between protesters and security forces. State-affiliated agencies reported incidents in Malekshahi, where two protesters and one security officer were killed, and in Lordegan, where two protesters died. Additional casualties were reported in Azna, Kouhdasht, Fuladshahr, and Marvdasht. These reports have not been independently verified.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the unrest, describing the original economic protests as “legitimate” but warning that some individuals “provoked by the enemy” were exploiting the situation to promote anti-government messages.
International Reactions
The European Union expressed concern over the deaths and called on Tehran to exercise “maximum restraint” while upholding citizens’ rights to “freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”
President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed that the government is listening to protesters’ “legitimate demands.” The demonstrations are the most widespread since the 2022 uprising triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, though they remain smaller in scale.
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