Iran Warns US of Retaliation After Trump Backs Protesters
Iran warned the United States on Sunday that it would launch severe attacks on US and Israeli installations across the region if Washington strikes the Islamic Republic, escalating tensions after President Donald Trump said he would “liberate” Iranians protesting over a soaring cost of living.
Iranian officials said any military action by the United States would be met with a response targeting American interests and allies, including Israel, accusing Washington of exploiting domestic unrest to destabilise the country.
The warning followed a series of social media posts by Trump in which he voiced support for protesters and suggested the United States stood ready to intervene on their behalf.
Iran has been gripped by demonstrations for weeks, initially sparked by sharp increases in food and fuel prices, a weakening currency and high unemployment.
What began as economic protests have widened into broader expressions of anger against the political establishment, drawing a heavy security response.
Authorities say foreign powers are fuelling the unrest, a charge Washington denies.
Trump’s comments marked his strongest public intervention since the protests began, echoing language he has used in past confrontations with Tehran.
Iranian leaders said such remarks amounted to interference in the country’s internal affairs and warned they would not tolerate threats or intimidation.
The standoff comes against the backdrop of heightened global tensions following a recent US operation in Venezuela, where American forces arrested President Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to New York to face criminal charges.
The move shocked regional governments and drew condemnation from countries allied to Caracas, who described it as a violation of sovereignty.
Iranian officials have pointed to the Venezuela operation as evidence of what they say is Washington’s readiness to use force to achieve political ends, arguing that the same approach could be directed at Tehran.
They say this has reinforced the need for Iran to maintain a strong deterrent posture.
US officials have said their support for protesters is rooted in human rights concerns and have warned Tehran against using violence to suppress dissent.
Israel, a close US ally and longtime foe of Iran, has said it is monitoring developments closely.
Diplomats fear the sharp exchange of threats, combined with unrest inside Iran and recent US actions abroad, risks further destabilising an already volatile Middle East.
gandae@businessdayafrica.org