Iran Slams Trump’s Warning Over Protests as ‘Reckless and Dangerous’
Iran’s foreign minister has condemned former US President Donald Trump’s warning that the United States would intervene if peaceful protesters in the country were harmed, calling the statement “reckless and dangerous.”
Abbas Araghchi’s remarks followed Trump’s social media post in which he declared Washington “locked and loaded and ready to go” in support of demonstrators taking part in protests over Iran’s economic conditions. Trump did not specify what form US action might take.
Araghchi stated that Iran’s armed forces are on standby and “know exactly where to aim” in the event of an attack. He added that Iran would forcefully reject any interference in its internal affairs, criticizing the US for threatening involvement in the domestic unrest.
At least eight people have reportedly died during the week-long protests, which began in Tehran over a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. Demonstrations quickly spread to multiple cities, with clashes reported between security forces and protesters.
Two people were killed in Lordegan, and three more in Azna, while additional deaths were reported in Kouhdasht, Fuladshahr, and Marvdasht, according to semi-official sources. The identities of the casualties—whether demonstrators or security personnel—remain unclear.
Iranian authorities have emphasized their commitment to maintaining order. A police spokesman warned that officers would prevent “enemies” from turning the unrest into chaos. Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad stated that any attempt to destabilize the country would meet a “decisive response.”
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicated that the government is prepared to listen to legitimate demands from the public.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani has called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump’s statement, saying the United States “bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats.”
The current protests are the most widespread since the 2022 uprising triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody, although they have not reached the same scale.
