Iran rejects Trump’s threats as support for ‘terrorism, violence’
The US president has threatened to strike Iran 'very hard' if protesters are killed in the unrest that has broken out in the country
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has fired back at new threats made by US President Donald Trump, referring to Washington and Tel Aviv’s statements on recent protests in the country as a plot to “support terrorism and violence.”
The ministry also vowed that Iran is preparing for an attack scenario.
“Israeli and American statements regarding Iranian internal affairs are part of supporting terrorism and violence and undermining Iranian unity,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on 5 December.
“The Iranian armed forces are carefully monitoring the country's borders and we do not trust the enemy's statements,” the Foreign Ministry went on to say.
The ministry added that Israel’s “deception has been proven to us,” stressing that “It is important for us to strengthen our readiness and have our eyes open to defend Iran's territory.”
Over the past several days, protests erupted across several cities and provinces in Iran due to a collapse in currency and difficult living conditions resulting from years of harsh US sanctions.
Many of the protests have turned violent, with armed rioters attacking security forces repeatedly in recent days.
“I instruct the attorney general and prosecutors across the country to act in accordance with the law and with resolve against the rioters and those who support them ... and to show no leniency or indulgence,” Iranian judiciary head Mohseni Ejei said on Monday.
At least 12 people have been killed, including police and security members. Counterprotests are also taking place, and thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to reject violence against security forces and call for peaceful _expression_.
“We’re watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the US,” Trump said on Air Force One late on Sunday.
This was the US president’s second threat in just a matter of days.
On 2 January, Trump threatened to “rescue” the Iranian protesters, adding that Washington was “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iran “shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom.”
The Mossad also publicly urged Iranians to go out in the streets, saying, “we are with you.” Other Israeli officials have also attempted to incite the Iranian population against their leadership.
Dozens of people have been detained since the unrest began. Some of the rioters have been found with explosives.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said over the weekend that peaceful protesting is the right of all Iranians, but stressed that rioters “must be stopped and taught a lesson.”
The unrest in Iran coincides with concerns over a new round of fighting between the Islamic Republic and Israel.
Iran has ruled out any new nuclear talks with Washington until it drops its demands for a curb on the Iranian missile program and an end to uranium enrichment.
Recent reports have said Iran is working to build up and enhance its stockpile of ballistic missiles, which caused extensive damage across Israel and hit multiple key military sites during the 12-day war in June.
Iran also responded to the US attacks on its nuclear sites during the war with a missile operation targeting Washington’s Al-Udeid base in Qatar.
According to a new report by Israel’s Channel 12, Tel Aviv is preparing for the possibility of a “sudden” conflict with Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the US recently and discussed potential new strikes on the Islamic Republic with Trump. During a press conference last week, Trump said he would potentially support a new Israeli attack.
A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that the situation in Iran is being “closely monitored,” but that it is too early to predict the consequences. The report added that Israeli military leaders are accelerating preparations for a potential multi-front war, including Iran, Lebanon, and the occupied West Bank.