As protests in Iran enter their sixth day, this is shaping up to be the biggest wave of protests since late 2022’s Mahsa Amini protests. The uprising has spread to various provinces and large cities, such as Tehran and Isfahan, as revolutionaries demand the end of the regime. The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody last year sparked historic countrywide protests. Ever since, protests have spread across the country.
Iranian authorities are currently grappling with these protests, which have resulted in at least seven deaths, including a volunteer for the Basij security force. Firsthand testimony and widely-shared social media videos from the ground depict security forces with shotguns. When the streets are filled with gunfire, peaceful protests often turn into dangerous situations. Now, officials are at a loss to quell the growing turmoil. Meanwhile, they’re under fire from the United States over Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran is seeking to reduce fears across the world over its nuclear plans. The nation recently announced that it has ceased all domestic uranium enrichment. After inflammatory comments made by former President Donald Trump, tensions have escalated even further. He seemed to play coy with the military card, saying that if Iran were just found to be remaking their nuclear program, the US would intervene militarily. Trump weighed in, saying that if Iran started to “shoot and kill protesters,” the US would “do something.” He stressed the United States’ determination to be there for their aid and rescue.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, responded to Trump’s remarks by accusing the US and Israel of instigating the demonstrations. He made it clear that any American intervention in Iranian affairs would face a severe retaliation from Tehran.
“The American people must know that Trump is the one that started this adventure, and they should pay attention to the safety of their soldiers,” – Ali Larijani
In all this, Iranian officials are making it very clear what they think about foreign intervention. Shamkhani’s comments come on the heels of a similar statement by IRGC Chief Hossein Salami who said that any meddling in Iran’s security would be met with “unexpected consequences.”
“Any intervening hand nearing Iran security on pretexts will be cut off with a regret-inducing response,” – Shamkhani
The Iranian government has not hesitated to make overtures of its own toward dialogue, with President of the Majlis Masoud Pezeshkian even offering protest leaders an invitation to talks. The extreme violence and massive casualties make fruitful solutions by diplomatic means all the more difficult.
In June, Iran demonstrated its military capabilities by attacking Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar following a US strike on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites. This background magnifies the stakes as each country pursues its own interests in this fraught relationship, even as Iran faces widespread domestic unrest.
The protests reflect deep-rooted grievances among Iranians, who are increasingly frustrated with economic hardships and government policies. As these demonstrations develop, the international community, and especially the EU, should be deeply concerned, especially given the stakes for regional stability.