Iranically Iran, Middle East’s Karen…

[Ron in Regina]

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to come to the aid of protesters in Iran if security forces fire on them, days into unrest that has left several dead and posed the biggest internal threat to Iranian authorities in years.
Top Iranian official Ali Larijani responded to Trump's comments warning that U.S. interference in domestic Iranian issues would equal the destabilisation of the whole region. Iran backs groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.

The comments came as a local official in western Iran where several deaths were reported was cited by state media as warning that any unrest or illegal gatherings would be met "decisively and without leniency", raising the likelihood of escalation.

Trump vows US 'locked and loaded' to help Iran protesters if Islamic regime 'violently kills' them — New York Post

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States of America will come to their rescue.

apple.news

The Israeli and U.S. strikes last year have added to the pressure on the authorities, as have the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, a close Tehran ally, and the Israeli pounding of its main regional partner, Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Iran continues to back groups in Iraq that have previously fired rockets at U.S. forces in the country, as well as the Houthi group that controls much of northern Yemen.

"American people should know that Trump started the adventurism. They ought to watch over their soldiers," said Larijani, the head of Iran's National Security Council and a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump threatens Iran over protest crackdown as deadly unrest flares — Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to come to the aid of protesters in Iran if security forces fire on them, days into unrest that has left several dead and posed the biggest internal threat to Iranian authorities in years.

apple.news

“[Ayatollah] Ali Khamenei has spent over four decades chasing war, missiles and chanting, ‘Death to this or that.’ Now we can’t even afford rice,” one shopper in Karaj, just west of Tehran, told independent outlet Iran International.

Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills protesters — BBC News

The US president says "we will come to their rescue" after days of demonstrations and clashes.

apple.news

In a brief post on social media, he wrote: "We are locked and loaded and ready to go." Trump gave no further details. The protests have been the most widespread since an uprising in 2022 sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman accused by morality police of not wearing her veil properly, but they have not been on the same scale?

The city saw widespread protests and government buildings damaged in 2019, according to AP, after people had reportedly been infected with HIV from contaminated needles used at a health-care clinic.

Seven deaths reported as Iran protests spread into rural areas — Toronto Sun

Protests were sparked Sunday by shopkeepers, merchants rallying against country's battered economy

apple.news

 

[Ron in Regina]

The American nations top reporters are gathering in West Palm Beach Adjacent, Florida this morning for Trumps whatever at 11.



The threat of action adds to the pressure on Iran's leaders as they navigate one of the most difficult periods in decades, with the sanctions-hit economy shrinking and the government struggling to provide water and electricity in some regions.

Iran has suffered a succession of major strategic blows to its regional position since the start of the war in Gaza in 2023 between its ally Hamas and Israel.

Israeli strikes hammered Iran's strongest regional partner Hezbollah. Tehran's close ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted in Syria. The Israeli and U.S. assault strikes on Iran set back the expensive atomic programme and killed senior military leaders, revealing extensive penetration of Tehran's upper echelons.

Rights groups such as Hengaw and activists posting on social media reported continued protests and violence by security forces across Iran, while state-affiliated media reported what it called attacks on property by infiltrators "in the name of protest".

State television has reported arrests of people accused of manufacturing petrol bombs and home-made pistols.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday acknowledged the economic demands of protesters in Iran, where demonstrations have spread to more than two dozen cities, even as he warned there would be no quarter for "rioters".

The protests began last Sunday as an expression of discontent over high prices and economic stagnation, but have since expanded to include political demands.

(YouTube & Iran's ‘buying for time’ as protests sweep the country?)

 

[Ron in Regina]

So does this mean Trump might have to divert his attention away from Greenland Panama Canada China Russia Venezuela Nigeria? Has America bombed anyone else since Christmas Day? No? So Yeah, ok, let’s go with Nigeria this week…?

That’s sooo two weeks ago above. Hours before the attack in Venezuela, Trump warned of another US intervention in a third region, saying US forces were "locked and loaded" if Iran's clerical state kills protesters who have taken to the streets.

The enthusiasm for war would seem at odds for a president who has loudly declared that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for supposedly ending eight wars, a claim that is highly disputable credible creative something something.

In his second inaugural address on January 20 last year, Trump said: "My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier." Declaring "America First," he cast himself as a different kind of Republican than the party's last president George W. Bush, whose administration he castigated as warmongers over the Iraq invasion of 2003.

Mr. Trump offered no further comment on Iran or how the U.S. might intervene to protect protesters in the country in the post on his Truth Social network, which was published just before 3 a.m. Eastern, but he said: "We are locked and loaded and ready to go."

Something will be said about something at 11am this morning. Probably not about the Epstein files, but maybe about Iran, or maybe Venezuela, or maybe Greenland, or maybe Nigeria, or maybe none of the above.

 

[petros]

The American nations top reporters are gathering in West Palm Beach Adjacent, Florida this morning for Trumps whatever at 11.
View attachment 32582
View attachment 32583
View attachment 32584
The threat of action adds to the pressure on Iran's leaders as they navigate one of the most difficult periods in decades, with the sanctions-hit economy shrinking and the government struggling to provide water and electricity in some regions.
View attachment 32586
Iran has suffered a succession of major strategic blows to its regional position since the start of the war in Gaza in 2023 between its ally Hamas and Israel.
View attachment 32585
Israeli strikes hammered Iran's strongest regional partner Hezbollah. Tehran's close ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted in Syria. The Israeli and U.S. assault strikes on Iran set back the expensive atomic programme and killed senior military leaders, revealing extensive penetration of Tehran's upper echelons.

Rights groups such as Hengaw and activists posting on social media reported continued protests and violence by security forces across Iran, while state-affiliated media reported what it called attacks on property by infiltrators "in the name of protest".

State television has reported arrests of people accused of manufacturing petrol bombs and home-made pistols.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday acknowledged the economic demands of protesters in Iran, where demonstrations have spread to more than two dozen cities, even as he warned there would be no quarter for "rioters".

The protests began last Sunday as an expression of discontent over high prices and economic stagnation, but have since expanded to include political demands.

(YouTube & Iran's ‘buying for time’ as protests sweep the country?)View attachment 32588

I gotta get on fascistbook and find out what's really going on from Parsi friends.

 

[Ron in Regina]

I gotta get on fascistbook and find out what's really going on from Parsi friends.

The American nations top reporters are gathering in West Palm Beach Adjacent, Florida this morning for Trumps whatever at 11.

Something will be said about something at 11am this morning. Probably not about the Epstein files, but maybe about Iran, or maybe Venezuela, or maybe Greenland, or maybe Nigeria, or maybe none of the above.

Might be the most accurate way by far. Got my curiosity. It’s a bit before 6pm there.

 

[petros]

Might be the most accurate way by far. Got my curiosity. It’s a bit before 6pm there.

Messages sent...now we wait.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Messages sent...now we wait.

Weirdly, I wonder if the average person in Iran without much/limited Internet access potentially might know more about Venezuela currently than we do?

 

[petros]

Weirdly, I wonder if the average person in Iran without much/limited Internet access potentially might know more about Venezuela currently than we do?

They use VPNs. Maybe it's like Israel where the news is 180° from Can/US versions?

 

[Ron in Regina]

They use VPNs. Maybe it's like Israel where the news is 180° from Can/US versions?

Weirdly, for the first several hours of this whole Venezuela thing today, there was almost no American coverage. Lots from India and Australia and the Middle East, but maybe North American media was still sleeping.

 

[petros]

Weirdly, for the first several hours of this whole Venezuela thing today, there was almost no American coverage. Lots from India and Australia and the Middle East, but maybe North American media was still sleeping.

Try Colombian news.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Try Colombian news.

The Colombians aren’t happy. Heard that a couple of hours ago.

 

[petros]

The Colombians aren’t happy. Heard that a couple of hours ago.

Yeah they are calling for a UNSC meeting.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Yeah they are calling for a UNSC meeting.

About Iran the US bringing freedom to Venezuela?

 

[petros]

About Iran the US bringing freedom to Venezuela?

Colombia is on the security council which is a joke unless it has to do with Israel needing a veto.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Colombia is on the security council.

Who has veto power on that council?

 

[petros]

Who has veto power on that council?

China, Russia, US, UK...

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

China, Russia, US, UK...

And France.

 

[petros]

Messages sent...now we wait.

Weirdly, I wonder if the average person in Iran without much/limited Internet access potentially might know more about Venezuela currently than we do?

So I learned a little more that we aren't being informed of. The protests are far more than meets the eye. She didn't get into details but said to look into Afghanis causing violence problems and Iraqis playing a role as well. Afghanis are Irans cheap labour illegal aliens (M.E.xicans) which is a big part of the "economic protests" and Afghani violence against protesters.

Got some AI searching to do.

 

[petros]

So I learned a little more that we aren't being informed of. The protests are far more than meets the eye. She didn't get into details but said to look into Afghanis causing violence problems and Iraqis playing a role as well. Afghanis are Irans cheap labour illegal aliens (M.E.xicans) which is a big part of the "economic protests" and Afghani violence against protesters.

Got some AI searching to do.

Yes, Afghans are widely used as cheap labor in Iran, particularly in low-skilled, manual sectors where they fill roles that many Iranians avoid.

Iran hosts one of the world's largest Afghan migrant and refugee populations, estimated at around 4.5–5 million as of late 2025 (with significant deportations reducing numbers from earlier peaks of 5–8 million). Of these, only a fraction (around 750,000–780,000) are officially registered refugees with limited rights, while the majority are undocumented or hold temporary statuses.

Key Aspects of Afghan Labor in Iran
Economic Role and Exploitation — Afghan workers are a crucial source of low-cost labor for Iran's economy, especially in construction, agriculture, brick kilns, manufacturing, and other harsh, undesirable jobs. Employers prefer them because they accept lower wages, lack insurance or contracts, and are highly productive due to limited alternatives. Undocumented status makes them vulnerable to exploitation, including non-payment of wages, compulsory overtime, dangerous conditions without safety equipment, and no legal recourse.

Legal Restrictions — Registered refugees can only obtain work permits for a narrow range of manual jobs (e.g., construction or agriculture), regardless of their skills or education. Undocumented Afghans work illegally, facing risks of arrest and deportation. Iranian laws and policies prioritize Iranian workers, with penalties for employers hiring foreigners in certain roles, yet enforcement is inconsistent due to demand for cheap labor.

Wages and Conditions — Afghans typically earn far less than Iranians for the same work—often half or less—with no benefits like health insurance or overtime pay. Reports document physical abuse, forced labor during detentions, and denial of compensation for injuries or deaths on the job.

Broader Context — This reliance stems from decades of migration (intensified by conflicts in Afghanistan), shared borders, language, and culture. However, economic pressures in Iran (inflation, unemployment) have fueled resentment, leading to discrimination, restrictions, and mass deportations (over 1.8 million Afghans returned/deported in 2025 alone). Some Afghans view migration positively as a path to remittances and skills, but systemic vulnerabilities dominate.

Sources across think tanks (e.g., Clingendael), media (e.g., DW, The Diplomat), human rights organizations (e.g., Human Rights Watch), and UN agencies (e.g., UNHCR, IOM) consistently describe this dynamic, though some Afghan returnees highlight personal agency amid hardships. Iran's policies selectively include Afghans as labor while excluding them from full rights, creating precarious conditions.


Hmmmmm. Sounds like a very American problem. So are the protestors MIGA?

 

[Ron in Regina]

So I learned a little more that we aren't being informed of. The protests are far more than meets the eye. She didn't get into details but said to look into Afghanis causing violence problems and Iraqis playing a role as well. Afghanis are Irans cheap labour illegal aliens (M.E.xicans) which is a big part of the "economic protests" and Afghani violence against protesters.

Got some AI searching to do.

What Does Iran’s Use of Iraqis and Afghans to Suppress Protests Mean?

If Arab and Afghan Proxies Act with the Brutality They Showed in 2019, Iranian Security Forces Will Further Turn on the Regime

www.meforum.org

Hmmmmm

???