Iran's Foreign Minister Calls Trump's Warning on Protests 'Reckless'

Wed Feb 18 2026 14:25:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Iran's foreign minister critiques Donald Trump's recent warning regarding US intervention amid protests in Iran, labeling it as reckless and dangerous. The statement follows increasing unrest in Tehran and other cities over economic issues.

In the wake of unrest in Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Donald Trump's threats of intervention should peaceful protesters be harmed. The remarks came as protests over economic conditions resulted in multiple fatalities, with the Iranian leadership responding firmly against any external interference. Tensions continue to rise as demonstrations spread throughout the country.

Donald Trump's warning that the US will intervene if peaceful protesters are killed was reckless and dangerous, Iran's foreign minister has said.

Abbas Araghchi's comments came after the US president stated that Washington will come to their rescue of demonstrators participating in protests over Iran's economy, and declared, We are locked and loaded and ready to go.

Araghchi indicated that Iran's armed forces were on standby and know exactly where to aim if faced with an attack.

At least eight individuals have reportedly died during the week-long protests as of Saturday morning.

Trump had previously tweeted: If Iran shots (sic) and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. He did not detail any specific actions that may be taken by Washington. The US has conducted strikes on Iran's nuclear sites before, which led to retaliatory actions against US bases in the region.

Given President Trump's deployment of the National Guard within US borders, he of all people should know that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated, wrote Araghchi on social media. Iran would forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs, he added.

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the ongoing protests, acknowledging that early demonstrations related to economic grievances over the currency collapse were legitimate but stated that provocations by enemies were turning protests into anti-government actions.

Protests erupted in various cities, marked by clashes between demonstrators and security personnel. Reports circulated that two protesters and a member of security forces were killed in Malekshahi after protesters attempted to breach a police station.

The EU expressed concerns over the violence and called for Tehran to exercise restraint, while ensuring the rights of citizens to assemble peacefully.

Initially sparked by complaints from shopkeepers about the plummeting value of the Iranian rial, protests quickly escalated to include broader discontent with the clerical government.

Two protester fatalities were reported in Lordegan, with additional deaths occurring in western Iran and elsewhere.

The ongoing demonstrations are reportedly the most widespread since the protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, although they are not reaching the same scale.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has previously stated that he will listen to the legitimate demands of the protesters.

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