A war against America if Trump tries to intervene in the Iranian struggle

After protests spread across several provinces and turned into deadly clashes, the Iranian leadership has reacted strongly to US President Donald Trump's warning of intervention. Iranian authorities warned on Friday that if Washington intervenes, American forces in the region could be targeted.

President Trump had stated in a post on his Truth Social account that killing peaceful protesters is a custom in Iran, and if it happens, the United States will come to their rescue. He further added that he is "locked and loaded" for it. In what appeared to be a direct response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Iran would not surrender to its enemies. He declared on X (social media) that with faith in God and the support of the people, the enemy would be brought to its knees.

Iranian officials have issued strong warnings against American intervention in the country's internal affairs. Iranian National Security Chief Ali Larijani stated that American intervention would lead to instability across the entire region and the destruction of American interests, while Ali Shamkhani, a close advisor to Khamenei, said that any hand intervening against Iran's security would be cut off.

Issuing a more direct threat, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if Washington intervenes, American centers and forces across the Middle East would become legitimate targets. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also warned that their armed forces know well where to target if the country's sovereignty is at risk. The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement condemning Washington's threat as a violation of international law and stating that any aggression would be met with a decisive response.

Although US officials told CNN that Trump's statement was intended to send a "strong warning" to Iran, a White House official confirmed that there has been no significant change in military levels in the region or direct action taken so far. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, points out that Trump's threats create a strategic dilemma for Washington: if the US does not act, the regime could be further strengthened, and if it intervenes, it could escalate into a broader conflict.

Protests continued on Friday in several cities, including Tehran, with people taking to the streets chanting slogans like "Freedom" and "Down with the dictator." Security forces used force in some areas, with reports of a woman being dragged by a uniformed person in the Narmak area and sounds used to disperse crowds in cities like Yasuj. Fars News Agency reports that three people died and 17 were injured when protesters stormed a police station in Azna, a city in Iran's western Lorestan province.

At least two people also died in clashes that erupted on Thursday morning in Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, in the southwest. The first protest-related death was reported in Kuhdasht city, where a Basij paramilitary member died and 13 others were injured. State media reports that 20 protesters were arrested from Kuhdasht city and 30 from Malard county in Tehran on charges of disturbing public order.

These protests, initiated by businessmen and students due to economic conditions and a record drop in the currency's value, are the largest wave of protests since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. The US State Department has also expressed concern over the intimidation, violence, and arrests against protesters and called on authorities to stop the repression.