'Iran’s finger on the trigger': Tehran warns of retaliation against US military action

Iran warns retaliation over foreign-backed unrest

Since January, Iran has been roiled by widespread protests fueled by political frustration, economic strain, and entrenched social restrictions, marking one of the deadliest waves of domestic unrest in recent memory. Official figures report over 3,000 fatalities, including both civilians and security personnel. The turmoil quickly drew international attention, with US President Donald Trump and several American lawmakers openly supporting the demonstrators, issuing warnings to Tehran, and even alluding to regime change. In response, Iran adopted a defiant stance, warning that any foreign interference would be met with decisive force. Meanwhile, exiled royal figure Reza Pahlavi made prominent appearances abroad, bolstering Tehran’s claim that external actors were exacerbating the unrest.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Ali Asghar Shafieian, campaign advisor to the Pezeshkian administration and director of Iran’s Ensaf News, discussed how months of unrest have reshaped the country. He highlighted the social impact of the protests, easing of restrictions under President Masoud Pezeshkian, and an economy buckling under sanctions. Shafieian also addressed claims of US interference, Tehran’s warnings regarding American interests in the region, and growing concerns over Iran’s accelerated uranium enrichment, while outlining what the government sees as a narrow path to stability.

“Unfortunately, based on official statements, over 3,000 people have lost their lives in the recent incidents, including members of law enforcement,” Shafieian said. “The president has ordered a fact-finding committee to investigate what exactly happened. At this stage, it is still too early to make a definitive judgment.”

He added that social restrictions, including those related to clothing, have eased under Pezeshkian. “Since then, there have been no reports of people being attacked on the streets over the hijab issue. That said, the economic situation remains difficult, and a significant part of the current hardship is the result of ongoing US sanctions.”

“President Trump, along with several senior American officials and members of Congress, has repeatedly and openly expressed support for protests in Iran. By publicly promising backing, they have actively encouraged critics and opposition groups. This is not a hidden or disputed claim. It has played out in plain sight through media statements and explicit public warnings issued by the United States,” he said.

“Under sanctions, Iran’s economy and the lives of ordinary Iranians have steadily shrunk. The impact on the public has been severe. The Pezeshkian government has tried to ease the burden by cutting government costs and pushing economic and administrative reforms, but the scale of the crisis goes far beyond what these measures alone can fix,” Shafieian explained.

“Many in the West may hope for it, but a change in Iran’s political system remains highly unlikely. The Iranian state is built on a complex and deeply entrenched structure, and even an American intervention or military strike is unlikely to alter that reality,” he said, noting that Iran’s system differs from cases like Venezuela.

“Iran is prepared to respond, and its finger is firmly on the trigger. But Iran has never initiated an attack, and any action would come only in response to aggression, not as a first strike. Still, Iran possesses significant leverage in the region and has tools that can affect American interests, tools it will use if and when it deems necessary,” Shafieian added.

“Iran is not seeking to build nuclear weapons and is fully prepared to reassure the United States through any reasonable agreement. Iran has pursued a peaceful nuclear programme for nearly five decades and opposes all weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

“While the unrest has widened the gap between the government and sections of society, it has also made many Iranians more alert to foreign involvement. Open support from US and Israeli officials, along with media linked to those governments, reinforces the view in Tehran that these events amount to a form of proxy confrontation rather than purely domestic unrest,” Shafieian said.

“Resisting foreign interference remains a core pillar of Iran’s national security, but at the same time, the government is seeking relief from crippling economic sanctions. President Pezeshkian has pushed through social reforms with tangible results, eased political pressures, and initiated economic changes. However, the pace of reforms has been slowed significantly by the weight of ongoing sanctions,” he concluded.