Donald Trump backs Iran protests, warns of US intervention

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday threw his weight behind the protestors in Iran, warning the west Asian country’s Islamic regime against taking harsh measures against peaceful demonstrations.

What is Trump's statement?

“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said in a post on his social media account Truth Social.

Trump's statement continues the long term hostile attitude the US has adopted against Iran since the Islamic revolution in the west Asian country in 1979.

What is happening in Iran?

Trump’s statement comes as Iran faces nationwide protests due to ailing economy. The demonstrations, the biggest in the country since 2022, have continued for over five days. At least seven people have killed so far. 

The protests began in Tehran on Sunday after the Iranian currency, the rial, plunged to record lows, leading extremely high inflation.

The current wave of unrest is the largest since the 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody, highlighting broader public frustration over inflation, unemployment, water shortages, and governance issues.

Iran’s economy has been going through a rough period and has been under considerable stress for several years now due to sanctions imposed by the US and other western nations due to Tehran’s nuclear programme. Regional tensions have added to Iran’s troubles after a 12-day conflict with Israel in June, which took a heavy toll on the country’s military and political leadership and further weakened the economy.

What has the Iran government said?

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the public anger against his government and has promised to listen to the “legitimate demands” of protesters. However, he has warned against attempts to create instability. 

“From an Islamic perspective... if we do not resolve the issue of people’s livelihoods, we will end up in Hell,” he said during his speech at an event aired on state television.

The Iranian regime also made adjustments in the economic and security arenas by appointing a new central bank chief and tightening security arrangements around universities.