Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared this week that Tehran will "forcefully reject" external interference, responding to a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump that warned of American intervention if Iranian authorities "kill peaceful protesters." The exchange has intensified diplomatic friction amid ongoing protests linked to economic instability in Iran.
Araghchi, writing on X (formerly Twitter), asserted that Iran\u2019s armed forces "are on standby" to defend national sovereignty. His remarks followed Trump\u2019s post on Truth Social, where the former U.S. leader claimed Washington would "come to their rescue" if protesters faced violence. The war of words comes as protests over the rial\u2019s sharp depreciation entered their sixth day, with clashes reported in multiple provinces.
While Araghchi acknowledged Iranians\u2019 right to peaceful demonstrations, he condemned isolated incidents of violence, including attacks on police stations. State media reported at least three fatalities and 13 injured security personnel in recent days. Saeid Pourali, a deputy governor in Lorestan province, attributed the unrest to economic pressures exacerbated by "cruel" Western sanctions.
The rial has plummeted to 1.35 million per U.S. dollar on open markets—a 95% drop since the U.S. exited Iran\u2019s 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. Analysts suggest currency volatility and inflation remain key drivers of public frustration, with residents facing soaring costs for basic goods.
