Iran police chief warns US: "We're ready for you"

Iran’s police chief Ahmadreza Radan on January 12 responded sharply to remarks by US President Donald Trump, warning against any renewed action targeting the Islamic Republic.

"He made that mistake once and received his answer, but if they come again, we are at their service," Radan said, Caliber.Az reports per Iranian media. 

He added: "It will take them a long time to digest our previous response to their attack."

Radan’s comments followed statements by Trump, who said the United States was examining “very strong” options on Iran and claimed that Tehran appeared to have violated his warnings regarding the killing of protesters.

Iran has been gripped by widespread protests since late December, initially erupting on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. The demonstrations were triggered by the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and deteriorating economic conditions, before spreading to multiple cities across the country.

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the death toll from the protests has reached 646. HRANA also reported that a total of 10,721 people had been arrested as of the 16th day of nationwide protests.

By Sabina Mammadli