"We are monitoring the situation closely," US President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on 4/1, referring to the current protests in Iran. "If more protesters are killed, they will face very heavy punishment from the US."

The Iranian government has not yet responded to Trump's statement.

On the same day, local media and observer groups in Iran reported new clashes between protesters and security forces. AFP cited statistics indicating at least 12 people, including civilians and Iranian security personnel, have died since the protests began on 28/12 last year.

Protests in Iran are currently occurring in 23 of the country's 31 provinces and affecting at least 40 cities.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on 4/1. *Photo: AFP*

President Trump previously stated the US would intervene if the Iranian government "kills peaceful protesters," following initial reports of deaths. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Trump's warning as "reckless and dangerous." Araghchi added that Iran's armed forces are on alert and "know exactly what targets to aim for" in case of an attack.

"President Trump himself once deployed the National Guard within US territory; he understands best that attacks on public property are intolerable," Araghchi said, adding that Iran "resolutely rejects any interference in its internal affairs."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also commented on the wave of protests last week, stating that the initial peaceful demonstrations by small traders were "legitimate," but "troublemakers must be punished."

The wave of protests in Iran erupted on 28/12, when small traders in the capital Tehran organized a strike to protest economic stagnation and rising prices. The movement later spread to other areas of Iran, with students joining.

Ngoc Anh (AFP, BBC, Haaretz)