On Friday, January 9, the U.S. president also warned the Iranian leadership about the potential consequences if protesters are killed. He noted that if force is used against demonstrators, Washington may step in to defend them.
“I am speaking directly to the Iranian leaders: do not open fire. Otherwise, we will also start shooting. We are closely monitoring the situation. If they start killing people, as they have in the past, we will intervene and deliver a serious blow,” Trump added.
In his opinion, the situation in the country is becoming increasingly complex, and the authorities are losing control over some cities. “People seem to be starting to take control of individual cities - just a few weeks ago, this seemed impossible,” noted the American president.
Mass protests in Iran began in late December against the backdrop of a sharp decline in the national currency. The main reasons were fluctuations in the exchange rate and their impact on prices. In light of these events, the head of the Central Bank, Mohammad Farzin, resigned.
The protests initially started in Tehran but soon spread to other major cities, escalating into riots. Tehran's mayor, Alireza Zakani, reported that more than 50 banks and several government institutions were set on fire on the night of January 9, and over 30 mosques were destroyed.
According to the human rights agency HRANA, based in the U.S., the protests have resulted in the deaths of 65 people, including 50 protesters and 15 security personnel. Dozens of people were injured, and 2,311 individuals were detained across the country. The protests, the agency reports, have affected 31 provinces of Iran.
The Iranian authorities have not published official data on the number of dead and injured during the protests.
