Iran denounces Trump's intervention warning as protests spread

Iran's foreign minister called US President Donald Trump's warning that Washington would intervene if peaceful protesters are killed "reckless and dangerous". Trump wrote on social media: "If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue." He did not specify what action Washington might take.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran's armed forces were on standby and "know exactly where to aim" in the event of an attack. He added Iran would "forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs" and criticised Trump for deploying the National Guard in the United States.

At least eight people have been reported killed during a week of protests, the BBC was told. Reports named two people killed in Lordegan, three in Azna, and others in Kouhdasht, Fuladshahr and Marvdasht. The BBC has not independently verified the deaths. The demonstrations began in Tehran over a sharp fall in the value of the rial and spread as university students and others joined, with chants against the country's clerical rulers.

They are the most widespread since the 2022 unrest but not on the same scale. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he would listen to the protesters' "legitimate demands", while the Prosecutor General warned any attempt to create instability would be met with a "decisive response".

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World, United States, Iran, Protests, Trump, Diplomacy, Security