U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials engaged in a war of words on Friday amidst widespread economic protests in Iran, heightening tensions following American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Trump issued a warning on his Truth Social platform, cautioning Iran that the U.S. would intervene if peaceful protestors were harmed. The demonstrations, triggered partly by the devaluation of Iran’s currency, have resulted in at least seven deaths.
In response, Ali Larijani, a key Iranian official, accused Israel and the U.S. of instigating the protests without providing evidence. He cautioned against U.S. interference, suggesting it would lead to regional chaos and harm American interests.
The exchange highlighted the substantial U.S. military presence in the region, with Iran previously targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in response to American actions. Another Iranian official, Ali Shamkhani, warned against any threats to Iran’s security, citing past negative experiences with American intervention.
The ongoing protests, the largest in Iran since 2022, have focused on economic grievances and criticism of the country’s leadership. The government, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, has expressed willingness to engage with protestors amidst economic challenges, including a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial.
While Iran had halted uranium enrichment post-war to signal openness to negotiations, talks with the West have stalled as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continue to caution against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
