Washington: US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will intervene if Iranian authorities violently suppress peaceful protests that have spread across Iran amid a deepening economic crisis.
In a public statement on social media Trump said the US was closely watching events in Iran and would not stand by if security forces used deadly force against demonstrators. His remarks came as protests entered their sixth day in several Iranian cities driven mainly by rising prices currency collapse and worsening living conditions.
The demonstrations began with shopkeepers and workers protesting economic hardship but quickly spread to broader public gatherings. Protesters have been calling for relief from inflation unpaid wages and what they describe as years of economic mismanagement.
Iranian state media has reported clashes between protesters and security forces in multiple regions. Officials confirmed that several people have been killed while others including police officers were injured. Authorities have described some demonstrators as rioters while insisting they will maintain order.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that public frustration over the economy is real and has said the government needs to address people’s concerns. At the same time Iranian leaders have rejected foreign interference warning that outside pressure would only worsen tensions.
Trump’s statement marks one of the strongest warnings from Washington during the current unrest. While he did not spell out what form any intervention might take his comments have raised fears of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran at a sensitive moment.
International reactions are growing with several countries urging Iran to show restraint and respect the right to peaceful protest. Human rights groups have also called for transparency and protection of civilians as the situation develops.
As protests continue the coming days will be critical in determining whether Iran moves toward dialogue and reform or whether the unrest leads to a harsher response and deeper international confrontation.