US President Trump Threatens Iran Amid Protests Over Government Crackdown

US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States is prepared to intervene in Iran if the country violently suppresses protests over high prices. The comments were made on his Truth Social platform on Friday.

Protesters and security forces clashed in several Iranian cities on Thursday, resulting in six reported fatalities. Shopkeepers in Tehran went on strike on Sunday over economic concerns, which have since spread to other parts of the country.

Trump stated that “if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters,” the US will respond. He also claimed that the US is “locked and loaded” and ready to act.

Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, responded by saying that Trump’s remarks are equivalent to chaos across the region and a threat to American interests. Larijani emphasized that the positions of protesters and security forces should be considered separate.

Iran reported additional clashes between security forces and protesters on Thursday, with two fatalities in Lordegan and three in Azna. A member of Iran’s security forces was also killed overnight during protests in Kuhdasht.

Dozens of arrests were made across multiple cities, according to authorities. Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s economic woes are putting pressure on the population, with protests initially starting sporadically but later spreading to smaller cities.

The US reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018, following Trump’s withdrawal from an international nuclear agreement during his first term. The latest protests are the largest since 2022, when unrest was triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini.

Source: Al Jazeera