Iran Opens Fire on Protesters Despite Trump Threat

Iranian security forces opened fire on protesters on Friday night despite Donald Trump’s threat to intervene in the rapidly spreading unrest.

Demonstrators came under fire in Tehran, while there were claims at least one person had been killed in the city of Qom.

The US president had warned Iran earlier in the day that Washington was “locked and loaded” and would “rescue” demonstrators if Tehran killed any more anti-regime protesters.

The demonstrations, which began on Sunday amongst shopkeepers angry at a failing currency and rising prices, have evolved into broader anti-regime rallies across more than 20 cities.

Protesters could be heard chanting “this year is a year of blood, Seyyed Ali will be overthrown,” “death to the dictator” and “death to the oppressor”, all referring to Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader.

Protesters have attacked government offices, set police vehicles on fire, and pulled the country’s flag off government buildings. Seven people have been confirmed dead so far.

It was not clear whether security forces were firing live rounds.

At first, the regime tried to quell the anger by acknowledging the challenging conditions in the country. Mohammad Reza Farzin, the central bank governor, was forced to resign.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, a government spokesman, said it “recognises peaceful assembly rights enshrined in the constitution” and that officials were listening to citizens’ economic concerns.

But that was not enough, and the protest movement spread. Now the regime is struggling to maintain control.

Funerals for those killed have become new flashpoints, with large crowds gathering at burial sites despite a heavy security presence.

In the southern city of Marvdasht, demonstrators could be heard chanting “I will kill whoever killed my brother” and “death to Khamenei”.

In central Fouladshahr, protesters attending the funeral of one of those killed threw stones at security forces.

Residents in the city of Zahedan, which saw some of the longest-running protests in 2022, also joined the demonstrations on Friday.

Iran’s state media reported three people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters in the city of Lordegan and three in Azna, in the western province of Lorestan.