Pezeshkian Admits Limited Options as US-Iran Tensions Escalate Over Protests

American military installations throughout the Middle East have been placed in Iran’s crosshairs after President Trump warned of intervention over the deadly protests gripping the country. Iran’s parliament speaker delivered the threat Friday as tensions between Washington and Tehran reached a critical juncture.
At least seven fatalities have been reported since demonstrations began Sunday, driven by mounting public anger over catastrophic economic conditions. The protests started in Tehran with shopkeepers voicing frustration over government policies but have expanded as economic grievances intensify nationwide.
Trump’s statement that America would intervene if Iranian forces use lethal measures against peaceful protesters has drawn immediate backlash from Tehran’s power structure. An adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that US interference in Iran’s internal crisis would trigger widespread chaos across the region.
The economic factors driving the unrest are profound and worsening. The rial has plummeted to approximately 1.4 million per US dollar, while official statistics show inflation hit 42.5 percent in December. Combined with weak economic growth, these conditions have severely eroded citizens’ purchasing power and created widespread economic distress.
President Pezeshkian’s administration has sought to demonstrate openness to public concerns. In televised remarks, Pezeshkian invoked religious teachings to frame addressing economic welfare as a moral obligation. However, he has been candid about his government’s limited capacity to reverse the currency crisis. The prosecutor general has attempted to validate peaceful economic protests while threatening decisive responses to security threats, though maintaining this distinction grows increasingly difficult as unrest continues.