U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Friday that the United States would intervene if Iranian authorities violently suppressed peaceful protesters. Trump made the statement in a post on Truth Social, saying, "If Iran shots sic and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue."
The warning came amidst ongoing mass protests in Iran, sparked by deteriorating economic conditions. Reports indicated that at least six people were killed on Thursday alone, marking almost a week of demonstrations. The protests reflect widespread discontent over rising inflation, unemployment, and perceived government corruption, issues that have plagued the Iranian economy in recent years.
Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to Trump's statement with a warning of his own. Larijani cautioned that any U.S. intervention would destabilize the entire Middle East and harm American interests. "Trump should know that US interference in this internal matter would mean destabilising the entire region and destroying America's interests," he wrote.
Trump's message, while brief, did not specify what form U.S. intervention might take. He simply stated, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go." This ambiguity has raised concerns about potential military action, increased sanctions, or other forms of political or economic pressure.
The relationship between the U.S. and Iran has been fraught with tension for decades, particularly since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The U.S. has long accused Iran of supporting terrorism and pursuing nuclear weapons, while Iran has accused the U.S. of meddling in its internal affairs and imposing crippling sanctions. The Trump administration's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 further escalated tensions, leading to a series of incidents in the Persian Gulf and heightened rhetoric between the two countries.
The current protests in Iran are a significant challenge to the Iranian government, which has a history of suppressing dissent. The government's response to the protests will be closely watched by the international community, as will the U.S.'s next move. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further escalation and regional instability.
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