Post by : Saif Rahman

Increased tensions have emerged between the United States and Iran after President Donald Trump's warning to Tehran regarding its response to swelling protests nationwide. The unrest, driven by surging prices and a plummeting currency, has intensified, representing one of Iran's toughest internal challenges in years.

On Friday, Trump took to social media, declaring that the U.S. was “locked and loaded” to support Iranian protesters if security forces used lethal force against them. This comes in the wake of reports indicating multiple fatalities in confrontations between demonstrators and Iranian security personnel, thereby adding an international layer to the domestic outcry over economic strife.

Iranian authorities firmly dismissed Trump's comments. Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader and chairman of the National Security Council, stated that any involvement from the U.S. in Iran's internal affairs would destabilize the entire region. He cautioned that the consequences would fall on Washington, especially given its military presence and interests across the Middle East.

The protests began earlier this week, spreading across several provinces, particularly in western Iran, with Lorestan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari witnessing some of the fiercest clashes with police. Human rights organizations and state media report at least six fatalities, although independent confirmation remains challenging.

Economic hardship is widely cited as the root cause of the unrest. The Iranian rial has experienced a steep decline in value, significantly raising the cost of living for average citizens. Inflation rates are reportedly exceeding 36 percent, while wages struggle to keep up. Many Iranians face difficulties affording basic necessities like food, fuel, and services.

Verified video footage by Reuters captured furious crowds gathering near burning structures, accompanied by gunfire and protesters vocally challenging authorities. Local officials have warned that illegal assemblies will be dealt with severely, prompting fears of potential escalation in violence.

Despite the tough stance from security forces, Iran's newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has adopted a more conciliatory public approach. He has expressed a willingness to engage with protest leaders and acknowledged that governmental missteps played a crucial role in the crisis. In an unusual statement, he emphasized that blame should not be directed at foreign powers, urging authorities to take responsibility for the populace's welfare.

Reports from rights organizations indicate ongoing arrests, with the Hengaw organization mentioning that numerous demonstrators, including women and children, have been detained. State media also reported arrests in various cities, with some individuals accused of manufacturing petrol bombs and improvised weapons.

Historically, Iran has witnessed waves of protests, often quelling them through mass detentions and force. However, analysts consider the current situation more precarious due to severe economic vulnerabilities, international sanctions, and heightened military pressures from Israel and the U.S. Last year's attacks on Iranian-aligned targets and setbacks involving Iran's regional allies have further exacerbated the situation.

As protests persist and foreign threats escalate, Iran confronts dual pressures: domestic dissent and increasing external tensions. The future—whether it will involve dialogue or further repression—remains uncertain, with the nation already experiencing one of its gravest crises in recent memory.

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