New Delhi/Teheran, Jan 14 (UNI) Iran’s defence minister warned on Wednesday that the country had “many surprises” in store for any adversary that attacked it, as tensions with the United States escalated sharply and weeks of deadly protests continued to rock Teheran.
The Iranian bravado followed an intensification of rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who has suggested the United States could intervene militarily as Iran’s leadership struggles to contain unrest that began late last year over worsening economic conditions.
Many countries including India issued travel advisories asking citizens to return from Iran and those planning to travel to the Islamic republic to stay away.
“If these threats are turned into action, we will defend the country with full force and until the last drop of blood,” Iranian defence minister, Brig Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh, said at a security meeting, according to Iran’s state-run Press TV.
The response came after Trump posted on social media on Tuesday that help for Iranian protesters was “on its way,” a message that fuelled speculation about imminent American action and drew sharp condemnation from Tehran. Any response, Nasirzadeh added, “would be painful” for Iran’s enemies.
He also cautioned that countries assisting an attack on Iran would be considered “legitimate targets.” According to rights groups and media reports, more than 2,500 people may have been killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators, though Iranian authorities have not released comprehensive casualty figures.
What started as protests over inflation and unemployment has evolved into a broader challenge to Iran’s clerical establishment, which has ruled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s leadership has also sought to project strength after last summer’s brief but intense conflict with Israel. Nasirzadeh said damage from Israel’s 12-day war on Iran in June had been repaired and that the country’s military production capacity had increased. The rising instability has prompted concern well beyond the region.
On Wednesday, India advised its citizens to leave Iran “as soon as possible,” citing a rapidly deteriorating security situation. In a statement, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged students, pilgrims, business-people and tourists to depart using any available means, including commercial flights.
The Ministry of External Affairs also renewed its warning against travel to Iran and said embassy helplines had been activated to assist citizens. Those who remain were urged to stay vigilant, avoid protest areas and register with diplomatic authorities. UNI AAB JRC
Iran vows retaliation as US threats rise; India asks citizens to leave
