Iran Warns US Against Interference During Ongoing Protests And Economic Strain

Iran warns the United States against involvement in nationwide protests, asserting red lines on national security as demonstrations widen amid economic pressures and currency declines.

International

-Gaurav Sharma

Updated: Friday, January 2, 2026, 17:19 [IST]

Iran has sharply warned the United States against any involvement in the ongoing protests that have spread across several parts of the country, after President Donald Trump publicly voiced support for demonstrators. Senior Iranian officials said any US action seen as interference would be met with a strong and immediate response.

Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s security would not be compromised under any circumstances. In a post on X, he warned that any external move threatening national stability would be answered with what he described as a “regret-inducing” response, stressing that Iran’s security remains a red line.

The protests have continued for a sixth day, fuelled by rising living costs and a steep fall in the Iranian rial. According to reports cited by the Associated Press, at least seven people have been killed in incidents linked to the unrest. While the demonstrations began over economic grievances, some rallies have reportedly included chants critical of Iran’s ruling system.

The warning from Tehran followed comments by Trump on Truth Social, where he cautioned Iranian authorities against using force on protesters. Trump said that if peaceful demonstrators were killed, the United States would step in to support them, adding that Washington was “locked and loaded.”

Iranian leaders have accused foreign powers of encouraging the unrest. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said any direct US role would spark instability across the region and damage American interests. He added that Iranian authorities distinguish between legitimate economic protesters and what they described as saboteurs.

Officials say the current demonstrations are the most serious since the nationwide protests of 2022 that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. As economic pressures continue to mount, tensions between Tehran and Washington are once again rising alongside the unrest on Iran’s streets.