Donald Trump's warning that the US will intervene if peaceful protesters are killed was 'reckless and dangerous', Iran's foreign minister has said. Abbas Araghchi's comments came after the US president said Washington 'will come to their rescue' of demonstrators taking part in protests over Iran's economy, stating in a brief social media post: 'We are locked and loaded and ready to go.'.
Araghchi indicated Iran's armed forces were on standby and 'know exactly where to aim' in the event of an attack. At least eight people are reported to have died during the week-long protests, as of Saturday morning.
Trump asserted, 'If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.' Specific actions Washington might take were not detailed, but previous US operations included strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, eliciting retaliatory actions.
'Given President Trump's deployment of the National Guard within US borders, he of all people should know that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated,' Araghchi expressed on X. He also stated Iran would 'forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs'.
On Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to the protests, claiming that those involved in violent actions must be restrained while recognizing the legitimacy behind initial grievances.
The protests, sparked by economic discontent, have resulted in clashes between demonstrators and security forces across several Iranian cities. Reports indicate that two protesters were killed in Malekshahi during a confrontation with police as unrest continues to spread.
In response to the escalating situation, the EU expressed concern over the violence and called on Iran to uphold the rights of individuals to express themselves peacefully. The protests began in Tehran with shopkeepers frustrated by the currency's devaluation, eventually drawing in university students and triggering widespread demonstrations against the governmental structure.
Despite the protests being significant, they are noted to be less extensive than an uprising in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current demonstrations and the government's ability to respond to citizens' demands.
Araghchi indicated Iran's armed forces were on standby and 'know exactly where to aim' in the event of an attack. At least eight people are reported to have died during the week-long protests, as of Saturday morning.
Trump asserted, 'If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.' Specific actions Washington might take were not detailed, but previous US operations included strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, eliciting retaliatory actions.
'Given President Trump's deployment of the National Guard within US borders, he of all people should know that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated,' Araghchi expressed on X. He also stated Iran would 'forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs'.
On Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to the protests, claiming that those involved in violent actions must be restrained while recognizing the legitimacy behind initial grievances.
The protests, sparked by economic discontent, have resulted in clashes between demonstrators and security forces across several Iranian cities. Reports indicate that two protesters were killed in Malekshahi during a confrontation with police as unrest continues to spread.
In response to the escalating situation, the EU expressed concern over the violence and called on Iran to uphold the rights of individuals to express themselves peacefully. The protests began in Tehran with shopkeepers frustrated by the currency's devaluation, eventually drawing in university students and triggering widespread demonstrations against the governmental structure.
Despite the protests being significant, they are noted to be less extensive than an uprising in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current demonstrations and the government's ability to respond to citizens' demands.
