TEHRAN: Iran warned the United States on Saturday against any interference in its internal affairs, saying such action would destabilise the region and threaten American interests, as protests driven by economic hardship continued across the country.
Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani said Washington had no right to intervene in Iran’s domestic affairs, stressing that Tehran distinguishes between peaceful economic protests and what it described as violent and disruptive acts. He warned that any US involvement would have far-reaching regional consequences.
“The American people should know that this adventurism would put their soldiers at risk,” Larijani said in a post on X, adding that recent statements by US and Israeli officials had exposed what he described as foreign intentions behind the unrest.
The remarks followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who warned on Friday that Washington would intervene if Iranian authorities used lethal force against peaceful protesters. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States was prepared to act if demonstrators were violently suppressed.
The exchange comes as Iran faces its largest protests in nearly three years, sparked by worsening economic conditions, a sharp fall in the rial and rapidly rising prices. The demonstrations began on Sunday when shopkeepers staged protests over economic hardship and later spread to multiple cities and provinces.
Local and semi-official media reported that several people were killed and others injured during clashes between protesters and security forces in western and southwestern Iran. The Fars News Agency said violence erupted in parts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Lorestan provinces, including attacks on public buildings and police facilities.
Iranian authorities said security forces intervened after unrest turned violent, with some protesters reportedly using weapons during clashes. Officials have also reported arrests and injuries among security personnel.
Government officials have acknowledged public anger over economic conditions. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities were monitoring the situation and listening to public concerns, while President Masoud Pezeshkian said the government bears responsibility for addressing economic grievances and warned against blaming foreign actors.
Iran’s economy has remained under pressure since 2018, when the United States reimposed sanctions after withdrawing from the international nuclear agreement. Iranian officials have repeatedly cautioned that foreign interference would worsen instability and undermine efforts to restore calm.
