US imperialism and Israel are threatening open war to subjugate Iran, using mass protests which began there in December as a pretext.
Israeli Prime Minister Nazi-Zionist Benjamin Netanyahu met with the chief gangster of US imperialism Donald Trump at the latter’s resort in Florida on December 29, the day after the Iranian protests began, to discuss the occupation of Gaza. During the meeting, Trump stated that he would approve Israeli strikes on Iran and threatened to “knock [Iran] down” if they continue their nuclear program. For its part, the Iranian government maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only while also expressing the right to defend itself against foreign threats.
In late December, shopkeepers went on strike in the Iranian capital Tehran in protest of the depreciating rial currency. The protests spread into violent mass rebellions across the country as students and workers joined the demonstrations for political and economic demands against the government.
Iran’s economic crisis is a culmination of the ongoing general imperialist economic crisis thrust upon the Third World, combined with tightening US sanctions and the costs associated with recovering from the US-Israel war of aggression against it in June 2025—where Iran successfully defeated US-Israeli attempts to disarm the country and overthrow its government.
During the June war, the US attacked three of Iran’s nuclear sites using dozens of some of its heaviest bombs and missiles. Despite Trump’s boasting, it was widely acknowledged—both by US and Israeli intelligence officials and the Iranian government—that the attacks did not significantly hinder Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran directly since the protests broke out, writing on social media that the US is “locked and loaded”, and later telling reporters, “If [the Iranian government] start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States.”
On January 2, 2026, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insinuated on social media the US would overthrow the Iranian government soon, adding, “Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad [Israeli intelligence] agent walking beside them…” Trump received briefings Saturday (01/10) presenting options for military aggression against Iran, according to monopoly media reports.
Iranian government official Ali Shamkhani responded to the threats, writing on social media, “The people of Iran know well the experience of ‘being rescued’ by Americans: from Iraq and Afghanistan to Gaza.” He continued , “Any interventionist hand that approaches Iran’s security with excuses will be cut off before it can come up with a regrettable response.”
Image: Protests in the streets of Lordegan, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran, January 7. Fars News Agency. Fars News reports that during the demonstration armed clashes took place between demonstrators and Iranian security resulting in two deaths and 30 injuries.
The Worker is an entirely volunteer-run revolutionary newspaper free from and radically antagonistic to corporate influence. We rely on the support of our readers to sustain our editorial line in service of the working class and the reconstitution of its party, the Communist Party. Make a one-time or recurring donation to our newspaper today:
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
