The protests entered their sixth day on Friday, January 2, spreading to cities across the country amid a sharp fall in the value of the rial and a deepening economic crisis. Iranian authorities have detained dozens of protesters, and at least seven people have been killed, according to reports.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said US involvement in Iran’s internal affairs would have far-reaching consequences. “We distinguish between the legitimate demands of protesting shopkeepers and destructive elements,” Larijani said. “Trump should know that US interference in this internal matter would mean chaos across the entire region and the destruction of US interests.”
He warned that “the American people should know that Trump has embarked on adventurism,” adding: “They should look after their soldiers.”
Trump said on Friday that if the Islamic Republic “shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.”
Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, also issued a warning, saying: “Any intervening hand that approaches Iran’s security will be cut off with a regret-inducing response.” Referring to past US-led wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza, Shamkhani said Iranians were well aware of what Washington’s claims of “rescue” entailed. “Iran’s national security is a red line, not a subject for adventurous tweets,” he added.
Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said the country’s armed forces would respond decisively and without hesitation to any threat, claiming Iran’s defensive capabilities had grown since the 12-day war earlier this year.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also condemned Trump’s remarks, warning that any act of adventurism would make all US bases and forces in the region legitimate targets for Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Iranians would resolve their problems through dialogue among themselves and would not tolerate foreign interference.
The United States maintains military bases across the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar. In June 2025, following US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day war, Iran launched missile attacks on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
As protests continued on Friday, residents of Zahedan, in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, chanted “Death to the dictator,” according to witnesses. Demonstrations featuring anti-government slogans have taken place in more than 17 provinces in recent days.
