Tensions between Washington and Tehran have reached dangerous levels as Iranian officials threaten American military targets following President Trump’s warning about intervention over the ongoing protests. The parliament speaker’s Friday declaration came hours after a Supreme Leader adviser cautioned that US interference would destabilize the entire region.
The protests, which began Sunday and have claimed seven lives, represent the most significant domestic challenge to Iranian authorities in recent months. Demonstrators are expressing mounting fury over economic conditions that have deteriorated dramatically, with inflation and currency devaluation eroding citizens’ standard of living.
Trump’s statement that America would intervene if Iranian forces use lethal measures against peaceful protesters has provoked fierce backlash from Tehran’s leadership. An adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei specifically warned that US involvement in Iran’s internal affairs would trigger widespread chaos throughout the Middle East, raising concerns about potential conflict escalation.
Economic grievances are driving citizens into the streets in unprecedented numbers. The protests originated with shopkeepers in Tehran condemning government policies after the rial collapsed and inflation reached 42.5 percent in December. With one US dollar now worth approximately 1.4 million rials, ordinary Iranians struggle to afford basic necessities while economic growth remains anemic.
President Pezeshkian’s administration has attempted to demonstrate openness to protesters’ concerns. Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian used religious language to emphasize the moral imperative of addressing citizens’ economic hardships. However, he has been transparent about his government’s limited capacity to reverse the currency crisis. The prosecutor general has tried to walk a fine line, characterizing peaceful economic demonstrations as valid while threatening decisive action against those who threaten security, though this distinction may be difficult to maintain.