'Know where to aim': Iran warns Trump over threat; violent protests rock Tehran

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday issued a strong response to US President Donald Trump’s warning over the handling of protests in the country, saying any interference in Iran’s internal affairs would be firmly rejected.In a post on X, the Iranian foreign minister said recent demonstrations were driven by economic pressure caused by currency fluctuations and were largely peaceful. “Those in Iran impacted by transient exchange rate volatility have recently been peacefully protesting, as is their right,” he wrote.At the same time, Araghchi said authorities had also seen isolated violent incidents, including attacks on a police station and Molotov cocktails being thrown at police officers.Referring to Trump’s past actions at home, the minister added that the US president “of all people should know that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated,” citing the deployment of the National Guard within the United States.

Describing Trump’s message as “reckless and dangerous”, the foreign minister said it was likely influenced by people who oppose diplomacy or believe it is unnecessary. He warned that Iran would not accept any outside involvement.

“As in the past, the Great People of Iran will forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs,” he said, adding that Iran’s armed forces were on standby in case of any violation of the country’s sovereignty.The remarks came after Trump said on Truth Social that if Iranian authorities “violently kill peaceful protesters”, the United States would “come to their rescue”, adding that Washington was “locked and loaded”.His comments followed several days of protests sparked by economic hardship and the sharp fall of Iran’s currency.Other Iranian officials have also warned against US involvement. Soon after Trump’s threat, Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s security was a “red line” and warned that any intervention would be met with a response.Other senior figures, including Ali Larijani, have accused the US and Israel of fuelling the unrest and cautioned that intervention would lead to wider regional instability.The protests are now in their sixth day and are the most significant since 2022, when the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations. At least seven people have been killed so far in violence linked to the unrest, news agency AP reported.