Washington, D.C. – US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that the country will face a “very strong” response from the United States should Iranian authorities kill protesters demonstrating against deteriorating economic conditions.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump stated, “We are watching the situation very closely, and if they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they are going to take a very strong hit from the United States.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry responded earlier today, condemning statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and what it described as hardline US officials regarding the internal situation in Iran. The ministry claimed such statements promote terrorism and violence, adding that “the Zionist entity is watching for any opportunity to strike our national unity.”
President Trump’s warning follows previous statements made last Friday, in which he asserted that the United States would intervene to protect peaceful protesters if Iran were to fire upon and kill them. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he wrote, “We are ready and prepared to go.”
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, countered that President Trump should realize that interference in Iran’s internal affairs would destabilize the region and undermine Washington’s interests. Larijani added, “The American people should know that Trump is the one who started the adventure, and they should be wary of their soldiers.” Regarding the protests, he stated, “We distinguish between the positions of protesting merchants and saboteurs, and the statements of the Israelis and Trump clarify what happened.”
Meanwhile, Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, has cautioned that any American interference in the ongoing protests would be considered a “red line” and would be met with a response. The protests, which began on December 28th, have spread across several Iranian cities, originating from the “Bazaar” (merchant community) and extending to universities, fueled by the economic crisis and currency devaluation.
These protests, triggered by rising living costs, are notably smaller in scale compared to the widespread demonstrations Iran witnessed in the past.