Iran Protests

Recently, the U.S. President Donald Trump threatened intervention if Iran used lethal force against protesters, sharply escalating tensions amid deadly nationwide economic protests.

About the Iran Protests

• Background: Protests began in late December 2025 after a sharp fall in the Iranian rial, worsening inflation, and prolonged economic hardship aggravated by sanctions and conflict.
• Demands: Protesters, including shopkeepers and urban workers, demanded economic relief, currency stabilisation, and better governance rather than regime change.
• Nature of Protests: Initially peaceful demonstrations spread from Tehran to several cities, later turning violent with clashes between security forces and protesters.
• Government Response: Iranian authorities acknowledged economic grievances but labelled violent elements as “rioters,” leading to a security crackdown and reported civilian casualties.

Recent U.S. Interference in Iran

• Sanctions (2018–present): The U.S. withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed severe economic sanctions, severely constraining Iran’s economy.
• Assassination of Qasem Soleimani (2020): The U.S. killed Iran’s top military commander in a drone strike in Baghdad, sharply escalating bilateral hostility.
• Support to Israel (2025): The U.S. backed Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025, followed by direct U.S. strikes and Iranian retaliation against a U.S. base in Qatar.
• Information Warfare (2025): Israeli intelligence agencies openly encouraged Iranian protests through social media messaging, with U.S. political backing.
• Renewed Military Threats (2026): Trump warned of fresh attacks if Iran rebuilt its missile or nuclear capabilities, linking internal protests to external intervention.

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Potential Implications of the Current Situation

• Regional Instability: Escalation risks wider conflict across West Asia, threatening U.S. bases, Israel, and Gulf states.
• Global Energy Markets: Any conflict involving Iran could disrupt oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global prices.
• India’s Interests: India faces risks to energy security, diaspora safety, and maritime trade, while needing to balance ties with Iran, the U.S., and Gulf partners.
• International Norms: Direct intervention over internal protests raises concerns about sovereignty, precedent-setting, and international law.

Conclusion

The Iran crisis reflects the dangerous convergence of internal economic distress and external geopolitical pressure, with serious consequences for regional stability and global strategic interests.

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