Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stark warning on Tuesday, declaring that the Islamic Republic's response to any act of aggression would be severe. This statement appears to be a direct reaction to recent comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested military action if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear capabilities.
Escalating Rhetoric Over Nuclear Program
President Pezeshkian took to the social media platform X to state, "Answer of Islamic Republic of Iran to any cruel aggression will be harsh and discouraging." He did not provide further details, but the timing of his message is significant. It came just one day after Donald Trump, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, openly discussed the potential for U.S. military strikes.
"Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again," Trump said at a news conference. "And if they are, we're going to have to knock them down. We'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that's not happening." He later added that if Iran's nuclear activities were confirmed, "they know the consequences, and the consequences will be very powerful, maybe more powerful than the last time."
This exchange references a previous conflict: a 12-day air war in June that resulted in nearly 1,100 Iranian casualties, including senior military officials and scientists. Iran's retaliatory missile strikes killed 28 people in Israel.
Domestic Unrest Compounds International Crisis
As international tensions flare, Iran is grappling with significant internal turmoil. Some of the largest protests in three years entered a third day on Tuesday, triggered by the national currency plummeting to a record low against the U.S. dollar. The head of Iran's Central Bank resigned on Monday amid the economic crisis.
Witnesses and social media videos showed rallies in Tehran and other urban centers. In some locations, police used tear gas to disperse crowds. Near a market in downtown Tehran, footage depicted protestors clashing with security forces and throwing stones. University students also held demonstrations on campuses, including Tehran University.
In response to the domestic pressure, President Pezeshkian met with a group of businessmen, pledging that his administration "will not spare any effort for solving problems and improving situation of the society." He assigned Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to engage in talks with protesters. Additionally, the head of the tax department announced a revision of tax arrangements in favor of businesses, including dropping penalties for delayed payments.
Nuclear Stance and Regional Standoff
Amid the threats, Iran has continued to insist that it is not currently enriching uranium at any site within the country, a claim seemingly aimed at keeping the door open for diplomatic negotiations with Western powers. However, international assessments note that Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, which is technically a short step away from the 90% level considered weapons-grade.
U.S. intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have assessed that Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003. President Pezeshkian emphasized the perceived external threats on Saturday, stating, "We are in a full-scale war with the U.S., Israel and Europe; they don't want our country to remain stable."
The Iranian government also announced the closure of offices and banks on Wednesday to manage energy consumption during winter, extending the weekly holiday. The situation presents a dual challenge for Tehran: managing escalating international threats while confronting growing domestic discontent over a struggling economy.
