Iran Pushes Back at Trump’s Protest Warning, Asserts Sovereignty
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s warning over the handling of ongoing protests in the country, calling the remarks “reckless and dangerous” and asserting that Tehran will not tolerate any foreign interference in its internal affairs.
In a post on X, Araghchi said the recent demonstrations were driven primarily by economic pressure caused by sharp currency fluctuations and were largely peaceful in nature. “Those in Iran impacted by transient exchange rate volatility have recently been peacefully protesting, as is their right,” he wrote. However, he also acknowledged that authorities had recorded isolated violent incidents, including an attack on a police station and Molotov cocktails being thrown at security personnel.
Taking a pointed swipe at Trump, the Iranian foreign minister said the US president “of all people should know that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated,” referring to Washington’s own use of the National Guard during periods of unrest. Araghchi warned that Trump’s statement appeared to be influenced by forces opposed to diplomacy or those who believe engagement with Iran is unnecessary.
“As in the past, the great people of Iran will forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran’s armed forces remain on standby to respond to any violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Trump had earlier said on his Truth Social platform that if Iranian authorities “violently kill peaceful protesters,” the United States would “come to their rescue,” claiming Washington was “locked and loaded.” His comments came amid several days of protests sparked by economic hardship, high inflation and the sharp fall of Iran’s currency, which has severely impacted purchasing power.
Other senior Iranian officials also issued warnings against external involvement. Ali Shamkhani, adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s security was a “red line” and that any intervention would be met with a strong response. Former parliament speaker Ali Larijani accused the US and Israel of fuelling unrest and cautioned that outside interference could destabilise the wider region.
The protests, now in their sixth day, are the most significant since 2022, when the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations. According to the Associated Press, at least seven people have been killed in violence linked to the current unrest.
Our Thoughts
The sharp exchange between Tehran and Washington highlights how quickly domestic unrest in Iran can escalate into an international flashpoint. While economic grievances remain at the heart of the protests, external rhetoric risks hardening positions on both sides. As tensions rise, restraint and dialogue will be critical to prevent the situation from spiralling into a broader regional crisis.