US President Donald Trump
As part of the new wave of protests in Iran, Trump says the US will defend protesters if they are targets of violence. In response, a senior Iranian official warns of the risks to stability in the region in the event of American intervention.
American President Donald Trump warned this Friday that the United States will defend “peaceful protesters” if Iran fatally shoots citizens protesting due to the cost of living in the country.
“If Iran shoots peaceful protesters and violently kills them, as it often does, the United States of America will come to your aid”, wrote Donald Trump, in a message published on his Truth social network.
This message comes after, on Thursday, clashes between protesters and security forces cause six deaths in Iran.
“We are ready, armed and prepared to intervene”, wrote the president of the United States.
On Thursday, the first deaths were recorded since protests against the high cost of living in the country began, around five days ago.
The demonstrations began on Sunday in Tehran, where traders closed their businesses in protest against hyperinflationcurrency devaluation and economic stagnation and then spread to universities and the rest of the country.
These protests are largest in Iran since 2022when the death of a young woman called Mahsa Amini, aged 22, in police custody sparked demonstrations across the country.
The protest has not yet spread throughout the country, although it is expanding, nor is it as intense as the one that surrounded Amini diedwho was detained for not wearing her ‘hijab’, or Islamic veil, as the authorities considered appropriate.
Iran’s civilian government, under the command of the reformist President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has tried to signal that he wants to negotiate with the protesters, but has already recognized that there is little he can do.
The Iranian currency, the rial, quickly depreciated, with 1 dollar now costing around 1.4 million riyals, mainly due to consequences of economic sanctions imposed by the USA and the UN due to the maintenance of Iran’s nuclear program.
Although they originate from the economy, the protests also included demonstrators shouting against the Iranian theocracy.
Iran has stated that it is no longer enriching uranium anywhere in the country, trying to signal to the West that it continues open to possible negotiations about its nuclear program, but the situation remains suspended and tensions have worsened.
“You should be careful with the soldiers”
In response to Trump, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned the US President to “be careful”.
“Trump should know that any interference in this internal matter will destabilize the entire region and harm American interests,” wrote Ali Larijani, who is also secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on social media.
“He should have watch out for your soldiers,” added Larijani.
