Iran warns Trump against ‘failed experience’ as Tehran accuses US of backing protests

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a direct warning to Donald Trump, urging the US President not to repeat what he termed a "failed experience." The statement follows reports that Washington is considering action to support anti-government protesters currently active across Iran.

Addressing the US administration's stance, Araghchi referenced American strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities during the brief Iran-Israel conflict in June 2025. He argued that while infrastructure can be damaged, Iran’s technical knowledge and resolve remain intact.

A Call for Diplomacy

The Foreign Minister asserted that Tehran has consistently been open to negotiations over the last two decades, claiming it is the US that has repeatedly walked away from the diplomatic table.

The Message: Araghchi stated that between the options of war and diplomacy, the latter remains the superior path, even if Tehran has yet to see a "positive response" from Washington.

UN Appeal: Iran has formally contacted the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General, accusing the US of interfering in internal affairs and inciting violence.

Escalating Unrest in Iran

Domestic tensions in Iran are entering their third week. What started as public anger over record inflation and a plummeting currency has evolved into a broader protest movement. Demonstrations have been reported in more than 280 locations, marking one of the most significant challenges to the administration in recent years.

Despite the volatility, there have been conflicting reports regarding the state’s response:

Washington’s View: President Trump recently stated he had been told on "good authority" that the killing of protesters was stopping and that there were no current plans for executions.

Human Rights Concerns: Rights groups continue to report mass arrests and have expressed alarm over potential death sentences for those involved in the agitation.

Global Criticism of US Policy

In a related development, the Iranian Embassy in India released a strongly worded statement on Wednesday regarding the broader direction of US foreign policy. The embassy criticised Washington’s recent withdrawal from dozens of international bodies and the imposition of new tariffs.

The statement suggested that unilateral US actions are causing a breakdown in global norms that will eventually impact all nations, regardless of their economic standing. It called the current silence from the international community a factor that only intensifies these global threats.