United States has issued a stern warning to Iran amid escalating antigovernment demonstrations and violent clashes across the country, while Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei labelled protesters as foreign agents serving American interests.
US President Donald Trump said Iran is in “big trouble” and again warned he could order military strikes. “Iran’s in big trouble. It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago,” Trump said on Friday.
He issued a direct threat to Iranian authorities: “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.” Trump added, “I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now.”
The protests, triggered by economic hardship and a sharp currency devaluation, have led to a severe crackdown.
Rights groups have documented dozens of deaths. The Human Rights Activities News Agency (HRANA) reports at least 62 people killed, including 14 security personnel and 48 protesters.
In response, Iranian authorities have cut off internet access for over 24 hours, with connectivity at 1 percent of normal levels, and disabled phone systems in an apparent move to suppress the movement.
In a televised address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for “unity” against what he called “terrorist actions.” He accused protesters of being “mercenaries for foreigners” acting for President Trump, whose hands he said were “stained with the blood” of Iranians.
Khamenei warned that protesters are “ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy.”
Iranian state media alleged “terrorist agents” of the US and Israel had set fires and sparked violence. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during a visit to Lebanon, accused the US and Israel of trying to “transform the peaceful protests into divisive and violent ones.”
A US Department of State spokesperson dismissed the foreign minister’s comments as “delusional.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s exiled “Crown Prince” Reza Pahlavi appealed to Trump on social media for urgent intervention, claiming his call had turned the tide of protests. Trump, however, has ruled out meeting with Pahlavi.
Despite the internet blackout, videos posted by activists purported to show continued protests in Tehran and other areas.
