Tehran (TDI): After President Donald Trump warned of a potential military response if Iranian authorities use lethal force against protestors, a senior official from Iran said that any American intervention would destabilize the Middle East and jeopardize US interests.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said that the United States is prepared to act if the Iranian government follows a pattern of killing protesters. He added that the military is locked and ready to assist those who are taking part on the protests.
Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, responded to these comments via a post on X. He argued that the public statements from Trump and Israeli officials reveal a coordinated effort to influence Iran’s domestic affairs.
Larijani made a distinction between local shopkeepers protesting economic conditions and what he described as disruptive actors; warning that US involvement in these internal events would lead to widespread regional instability and the loss of American assets.
Larijani also said “The American people should know – Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers’ safety.”
Read More: Six Killed as Cost-of-Living Protests Escalate in Iran
This exchange follows reports of several deaths during the largest demonstrations Iran has faced in three years. The unrest began on Sunday when shopkeepers went on strike to protest a sharp decline in the value of the national currency and high inflation.
These protests have since spread across multiple provinces, leading to violent encounters between security personnel and the public.
The underlying economic difficulties in Iran have persisted since 2018, when the US exited the international nuclear agreement and reinstated economic sanctions during Trump’s first term in office.
Larijani, who also serves as a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader, reiterated that American interference in these protests would ultimately result in chaos throughout the region.
The situation remains tense as the Iranian government maintains that foreign influence is deriving the escalation in protests, while Washington maintains that it will hold the leadership in Tehran accountable for the treatment of its citizens.
Tayyaba Arif is a student of International Relations, and takes keen interest in conflict reporting and the dynamics of regional and global affairs. She is especially committed to SDG 17, and believes in effective partnerships and promoting cooperative initiatives. She can be reached at tayyabarrif0@gmail.com
