Trump Signals "Rescue" for Iranian Protesters... Tehran: Intervention is a "Red Line"

SadaNews - Ali Shamkhani, advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warned that any American intervention in the protests occurring in the country is a "red line" and will be met with a "response," following indications in this context from President Donald Trump.

Shamkhani wrote on the platform "X" on Friday: "Iran's national security is a red line and not a subject for reckless tweets," adding, "The Iranian people are well aware of the American rescue experience... Any interventionist hand that touches Iran's security under flimsy pretexts will, before it can reach, face a reaction that leads to regret, and will be cut off."

For his part, Ali Larijani, senior advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, stated that American intervention in the Iranian protests would lead to spreading chaos throughout the region.

Earlier today, U.S. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform "Truth Social" that "if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, as it usually does, the United States will rush to help them."

Trump wrote: "We are ready, armed, and prepared to intervene," while clashes between protesters and police left 6 dead on Thursday in Iran, marking the first fatalities since the mobilization began 5 days ago against rising living costs in the country.

The Iranian economy has been under tremendous pressure for years, following the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Tehran in 2018 after Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal between Iran and major powers during his first term.

Additionally, Mansour Salaki, deputy governor of the Malard district in Tehran province, stated that security and intelligence agencies carried out coordinated measures late Thursday resulting in the identification and arrest of 30 individuals described as "disturbers of public order" in Malard.

Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the "Revolutionary Guard," quoted Salaki as saying that the individuals exploited the legal right of citizens to protest to carry out acts that led to insecurity and disruption of public calm.

He noted that investigations revealed that a number of the detainees were brought to Malard from neighboring cities and are currently held by security authorities, adding that the identities of several other individuals linked to these movements have been identified, and their arrests are ongoing as part of follow-up plans.

For his part, Sadegh Daghighian, the prosecutor in northern Ahvaz, in response to the protests that have occurred in various Iranian cities in recent days, called for the intervention of "tribal leaders and families" to educate the youth.

He said: "Unfortunately, some youth and adolescents may act emotionally under the influence of the media onslaught from hostile media and the internet space, and here the role of community elites and tribal and family leaders is greatly significant in educating these individuals, persuading them, and preventing such damages from occurring."

Daghighian added: "Ensuring comfort and security for citizens is one of the most important concerns of the judicial system, and there will be no leniency in this matter," stressing that "vandalism of public property and disruption of the security and tranquility of the people is unacceptable."

Several Iranian cities witnessed protests in November 2019 following the announcement of fuel price increases, with authorities responding harshly and officially declaring that the protests resulted in the deaths of 230 individuals, although non-governmental human rights organizations estimated a higher number of casualties.