Tehran, Jan. 4, 2026 (Naija247news) — Iran has sharply condemned United States President Donald Trump’swarning that Washington could intervene if Iranian security forces kill peaceful protesters, describing the statement as “reckless and dangerous” and a direct threat to national sovereignty.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted after Trump wrote on social media that the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go” and would “come to the rescue” of protesters if they were violently suppressed by Iranian authorities.
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump wrote on Friday, without specifying what form such intervention might take.
Araghchi said Iran’s armed forces were on full alert and warned that the country “knows exactly where to aim” should the US carry out any attack. He added that Tehran would “forcefully reject any interference in its internal affairs.”
In a pointed response on X, Araghchi also accused Trump of hypocrisy, noting that the US president had recently deployed the National Guard to deal with unrest inside the United States.
“Given President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard within US borders, he of all people should know that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
Protests and Casualties
The warning comes amid nationwide protests in Iran over worsening economic conditions, particularly the sharp fall in the value of the rial against the US dollar. Demonstrations, which began in Tehran among shopkeepers, have since spread to multiple cities and towns, with university students joining the protests and chants directed at Iran’s clerical leadership.
At least eight people are reported to have died during the week-long unrest, although the BBC and other international media have not independently verified the figures.
According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency and the human rights group Hengaw, two protesters — identified as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh — were killed in clashes with security forces in the south-western city of Lordegan. Three deaths were reported in Azna, with additional fatalities in Kouhdasht, Fuladshahr, and Marvdasht. It remains unclear whether all the casualties were demonstrators or members of the security forces.
Iranian police said they would not allow what they described as “enemies” to exploit unrest and turn it into chaos, as running battles were reported between protesters and security personnel in several locations.
Iranian Leadership Responds
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his administration was prepared to listen to the “legitimate demands” of protesters, signaling a possible opening for dialogue.
However, Iran’s Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that any attempt to destabilize the country would be met with a “decisive response.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei echoed that position, saying it was “completely fair” for shopkeepers to protest economic hardship but insisting that any “rioters must be put in their place.”
International Escalation Fears
Trump’s comments have raised fears of a broader confrontation between Washington and Tehran, coming months after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities triggered retaliatory attacks on a US base in Qatar.
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has formally appealed to the UN Security Council to condemn Trump’s remarks, warning that the US would bear full responsibility for any escalation.
“Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately,” Iravani wrote in a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the president of the Security Council. “The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats.”
As protests continue and rhetoric sharpens on both sides, diplomats and analysts warn that miscalculation could quickly turn internal unrest in Iran into another flashpoint in an already volatile Middle East.
David Okoroafor - Geopolitics & Foreign Affairs Editor ✔
David Okafor Geopolitical Editor / Foreign Affairs Editor, Naija247news Media Group David Okafor serves as the Foreign Affairs Editor at Naija247news Media Group, bringing over five years of experience in international journalism. Renowned for his investigative reporting and editorial leadership, he provides readers with in-depth analysis of global politics, economic trends, and major international events. A graduate in International Relations, David has a proven track record of delivering accurate, insightful, and impactful coverage, ensuring that Naija247news remains a trusted source for world affairs. His work has earned him respect across the media industry for clarity, integrity, and commitment to excellence.
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