Iran’s parliament speaker has declared that American military installations and personnel across the region could become targets if Washington pursues aggressive measures. The warning followed President Trump’s statement that the United States would intervene should Iranian authorities use deadly force against protesters.
Seven people have died in clashes between security forces and demonstrators since protests erupted Sunday over Iran’s economic collapse. The unrest began in Tehran with shopkeepers voicing criticism of government policies but has since expanded as citizens express mounting anger over currency devaluation and soaring inflation.
Trump’s intervention warning prompted immediate pushback from Tehran’s leadership. An adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei specifically warned that American interference in Iran’s domestic crisis would ignite regional chaos, raising concerns about potential conflict that could affect multiple countries and disrupt energy markets.
The economic conditions fueling the protests are dire. The rial has plummeted to approximately 1.4 million per US dollar, while official statistics show inflation hit 42.5 percent in December. Combined with weak economic growth, these factors have severely eroded citizens’ purchasing power and created widespread hardship that has overwhelmed public patience with authorities.
President Pezeshkian’s administration has tried to demonstrate understanding for protesters’ frustrations. In remarks broadcast on state television, Pezeshkian invoked religious teachings to emphasize the importance of addressing livelihood concerns. However, he has acknowledged his government’s limited tools to combat the currency crisis. The prosecutor general has sought to validate peaceful economic protests while threatening decisive action against security threats, though this distinction may be impossible to maintain as demonstrations intensify.
