U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iranian authorities against harming peaceful protesters, stating the United States would intervene. In a post on social media platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote, "If Iran shots sic and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue." He added, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," without elaborating on the specific nature of the potential intervention.
The warning comes amid widespread protests in Iran, triggered by deteriorating economic conditions. Reports indicate that at least eight people have died during the nearly week-long demonstrations.
In response to Trump's statement, a senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned Trump to "be careful" regarding any intervention, citing the risk of widespread chaos throughout the Middle East.
Trump's post did not detail what actions the U.S. might take. In June, under Trump's orders, the U.S. conducted strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. U.S. officials asserted that these strikes significantly hindered Iran's nuclear weapons development, a claim disputed by Tehran.
Iran has experienced periodic waves of protests in recent years, often fueled by economic grievances, political restrictions, and social discontent. The current protests reflect a continuation of these underlying tensions. Iran's economy has been strained by international sanctions, particularly those imposed by the U.S. following its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The JCPOA, negotiated between Iran and world powers including the U.S., the European Union, and China, offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program.
The potential for U.S. intervention raises concerns about escalating tensions in the region. Relations between the U.S. and Iran have been strained for decades, marked by mutual distrust and occasional military confrontations. The U.S. has long accused Iran of supporting terrorism and destabilizing activities in the Middle East, while Iran views the U.S. as interfering in its internal affairs and undermining its regional influence. The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, with many countries urging restraint and calling for dialogue to address the underlying issues driving the protests.
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