US President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials exchanged duelling threats on Friday as widening protests swept across parts of the Islamic Republic, further escalating tensions between the countries after America bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June.
At least seven people have been killed so far in violence surrounding the demonstrations, which were sparked in part by the collapse of Iran’s rial currency but have increasingly seen crowds chanting anti-government slogans.
The protests, now in their sixth day, have become the biggest in Iran since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations.
However, the demonstrations have yet to be countrywide and have not been as intense as those surrounding the death of Amini, who was detained for not wearing her hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities.
02:32
Iranian women join hijab-burning protest after Mahsa Amini dies while in ‘morality police’ custody
Trump post sparks quick Iranian response
Trump initially wrote on his social media platform, warning Iran that if it “violently kills peaceful protesters”, the United States “will come to their rescue.”